The 38th Annual Nestor Falls Winter Carnival is returning from March 6 to 8 and there’s a full slate of fun activities for those who attend.
Howard Dodd who helps organize the winter carnival each year said the weekend-long event features everything from a fishing derby and cribbage tournament to judging tasty deserts.
“It’s just a great time,” he enthused. “I think it’s one of the better events we put on . . . and I like to think by bringing all the people from outside the area in, it’s good for the local businesses also.”
“It’s a boost to the bake shops in town, the places that have rooms available and it just helps the local economy a lot,” Dodd added.
The carnival also provides a family friendly weekend for area residents, he noted.
“It gives people something to do for three days in the wintertime when there’s not a lot going on in these small communities,” he reasoned.
Dodd told the Times his favourite part of the winter carnival is when 5 p.m. rolls around on Saturday at the Nestor Falls Community Hall.
“When that hall is full of people from all over the area . . . and everybody is having a good time and there’s good fellowship going on–I think for me that sums it up,” he explained.
“When you’ve got a big group of people there and everybody’s waiting to have the prizes given out–it’s just a great time.”
Dodd told the Times people travel from across the district as well as northern Minnesota to attend the winter carnival each year.
He noted that many of the carnival’s attendees come year after year but it’s always great to see people attend for the first time.
“We see a lot of the same faces and we’re always glad to see new faces at the [community] hall that’s for sure,” he remarked.
New to this year’s winter carnival is a perch category for the fishing derby.
“Last year we had no entries for the walleye so we thought we’d just throw in another entry because we always have a lot of great prizes to give away for that fish derby,” Dodd noted.
Another change is the free children’s games–historically held on Saturday–being moved to Friday from 3-6 p.m. at the Nestor Falls Public School Skating Rink.
“They’re going to have dogsled rides, games, glow skating, prizes and snacks,” Dodd said. “We’re requesting that there’s parent supervisor required for that event.”
Friday:
The free children’s games kicks off the festivities for the weekend, which is followed by a fish cook-off and dessert competition at the community hall from 5-9 p.m., with supper at 7 p.m.
The winner of the cook-off receives a $200 gift card and plaque, while the winner of the dessert competition receives $150 and a plaque as well.
“There’s no entry fee for the fish cook off or the desert judging,” noted Dodd, who added that those who would like to judge the contest must pay $12 as adults or $5 for children.
“The cash bar will be open for age of majority and the attendance prize for that night is a fish cooker donated and sponsored by Helliar’s Resort.”
Saturday:
The fishing derby runs from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. and check in time for the fish is 3-4 p.m.
Fishing derby tickets are available at Mel’s Marine, Dalseg’s, Gill’s Trading Post, Sunset Cove Resort, Bite Me Bait and Tackle, Helliar’s Resort, Nestor Falls Bait and Tackle, or on derby day after 9 a.m. at the Nestor Falls Community Hall.
From 9 a.m.-5 p.m. attendees of the winter carnival can try their luck at a Penny Table operated by the Nestor Falls Public School.
At 11 a.m. the community hall canteen and cash bar opens for age of majority. The canteen is sponsored by the Sioux Narrows Nestor Falls Fire Department and procceeds will help them purchase a new fire boat.
Also at 11 a.m. the always-popular Cribbage Tournament runs at the community hall.
“For years and years in that we’ve had the same people enter the Cribbage Tournament,” noted Dodd, who said new players are always welcome.
Then at 5 p.m., as the community hall fills up with people for various draws, awards, and prizes.
And from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. the community hall is converted into a dance floor where DJ Maverick Judson provides the tunes. Admission is $5 a person.
Sunday:
From 8:30-11:30 a.m. the community hall has an all you can eat pancake and sausage breakfast. The cost is a free will donation which also goes towards purchasing a new fire boat for the Nestor Falls Sioux Narrows Fire Department.
The grand prize this year is a $500 Visa gift card which will be drawn at the breakfast.
