Nicholas Donaldson
Organizers once again are hoping for pleasant weather for the 35th-annual Nestor Falls Winter Carnival set for March 3-5.
Committee member Howard Dodd said he still remembers a few years ago when frigid weather cancelled some of the outdoor events.
Dodd is expecting a good turnout this year–provided Mother Nature complies.
A full schedule of events are planned, which will take place at the community hall and various other locations around Nestor Falls.
Activities begin at 4 p.m. on the Friday with the inaugural Nestor Falls Fish Cook-Off.
There is no fee to enter the event, which people can do by contacting Ryan at 271-3258.
But there is a $5 fee to vote for the best cook (walleye will be served).
The winner of the cook-off will receive a $250 Visa gift card.
Dodd said he was very pleased the idea for a cook-off came from some new members on the recreation committee.
“We have a very good crew this year,” Dodd enthused.
Another new event this year is the “Vendor Blender” set for the Friday from 4-9 p.m. at the community hall.
The ever-popular fish derby will take place on the Saturday from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
“This is one of our biggest events,” noted Dodd.
The entry fee is $10 per person, with tickets available at the community hall, Mel’s Marine, Dalseg’s, Gills Trading Post, Gordie’s Ice Road, Helliar’s Resort, and Nestor Falls Bait and Tackle.
Fish check-in is from 3-4 p.m.
The participants’ draw prize for the fishing derby is a Rapala Black Ice 8″ auger, sponsored by Helliar’s Resort.
Meanwhile, entries in the “Winter Theme Photo Contest” can be viewed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the Saturday.
There is no fee to enter this contest, and photos to be entered can be e-mailed to pam.shrumm@hotmail.com by Wednesday, March 1.
There also will be free kids’ games at the Nestor Falls skating rink from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (parent supervision required).
The cribbage tournament will take place on the Saturday beginning at 11 a.m., with the entry fee being $10 per team.
“The cribbage tournament is an old standby,” said Dodd. “There is always a good turnout.”
Then at 12:30 p.m., blind curling will take place at the Nestor Falls curling rink, with no entry fee to participate.
The event awards and prize draws will take place at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Dodd noted the hall gets pretty packed during the fish derby check-in and the prize draws, with people from wall to wall, but he loves it.
“That is the winter carnival to me,” he remarked.
A dance–featuring music by The Soundman–is planned for Saturday from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
There is a cover charge of $5 and there will be a cash bar (age of majority required).
Safe rides home from the dance will be provided by North Air Taxi free of charge.
Then on the Sunday morning, the all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast goes from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
The breakfast, sponsored by the Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls Fire Department, costs $5 for adults and $2 for kids six and under.
The All-Participants draw and the 50/50 draw also will take place that morning.
The former prize will be a $1,000 Visa gift card, which is double what it was last year.
Anyone looking for more information on the winter carnival can call Pam at 484-2103 or Whitney at 464-4707.
You also can check out the Facebook page of the Nestor Falls Recreation Committee for a list of the events and times.
