The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship directors are taking steps to ensure the popular tournament—which is set to run next week—remains a family event by planning to strictly enforce the age of majority.
FFCBC chairman Jim Cumming noted there have been problems in the past with fake licences and underage drinking.
“We want people to come on down and enjoy the evenings with their families in a safe manner,” he said, citing Tuesday and Wednesday evening are specifically set to be family nights, with events like “Quest for the Best,” the boat parade, a comedian, and the “Battle of the Bands.”
On those two evenings, youth under the age of 19 will be marked with a wristband and with black marker on their hand to ensure they won’t be served alcohol.
But on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening, those underage patrons will be required to leave the tent at 8 p.m.
Cumming explained at that time, all of the tournament directors will sweep the area, from one end of the tent to the other, asking those who are staying to get a wristband and those who are underage to leave.
While they are doing this, the bar will be closed for a short period of time.
Wristbands for the nightly entertainment will be available at the entrance of the tent at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m. the only entrance available will be the main one near the river.
“We’re asking people to go early and get their wristbands,” Cumming said.
He noted there will also be a licence card reader on site and any individuals who look potentially underage will have their licences scanned.
“The police department will also be there in full force to assist in identifying people who are underage,” he added.
“We have to be diligent to protect the youth, the community, and the tournament for future years,” he said, citing the liquor boards are also more strict with their regulations.
“In order to do that we have to spend a lot of time to keep families a part of the tournament,” Cumming stressed.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
