Left: Sydney’s lighthouse float was a crowd pleaser in the Fisherman’s Picnic parade. Top right: Shaking $10,000 grand prize-winner Devyn Deschampe’s hand was Grand Marais Lion Bob Spry. Above: Competition was stiff in the minnow races, with competitors allowed to blow on the minnows to keep them going in the right direction. See more of Fisherman’s Picnic on pages B4-B5. Staff photos/Brian Larsen
The 2019 Fisherman’s Picnic will be remembered for many things, not the least some rain that appeared in torrents for moments here and there. Still, a little water only sent people scattering for cover until it stopped, then the warm temperatures and emerging sunshine brought them quickly back to the many activities, most of which were contests that involved members of the crowd.
Some longtime staples and crowd favorites were the Sven & Oles pizza eating and pickled herring-eating contest. The Dairy Queen Blizzard-eating contest, minnow races, rock skipping, loon calling, Joynes Ben Franklin rock painting contest, the fish toss, tennis tournament, three-on-three basketball, bingo, softball tournament, and the Hedstrom cross cut saw competition.
Of course there were a few new exhibits and games; the water-skipping exhibition that went off without a hitch was one. The stand-up paddleboard races hosted by Stone Harbor and the new cornhole tournament put on by the Dairy Queen were two other fan favorites.
We can’t forget the kiddy rides, bouncy slides; dunk the lion, street dances and music all day long at Harbor Park. Nor the food vendors who provided several types of cuisine for hungry festivalgoers to select from. And, of course, the Lions Club fish burgers that kept everyone fueled up.
All that said, the Picnic is really about bringing people together. Once again former CCHS (or Grand Marais High School, as it was once called) reunions were held, as well as friends and family who came back to meet and greet old friends and make new ones.
None of this happens by magic, although you wouldn’t know that if you were just an attendee.
Before, during, and after, there was a small group of people, the majority long past age 60, who worked tirelessly to bring the 90th Fisherman’s Picnic to the community. They set up rides, stages, and the bingo tent, as well as placed the speakers high up on poles at Harbor Park, so coming events could be broadcast.
They solicited and gathered prizes to be given away for the big drawing, and they sold the tickets for the drawing as well. They ran the fish burger stand. Time, lots of energy, great commitment and lots of love to the community were displayed.
As Laurie Anderson Spry, who headed up the Citizen of the Year and Senior Citizen of the Year said, “It was my honor to assist the Grand Marais Lions Club in taking on the task of advertising for and accepting the nominations for the 2019 awards. Our local Lions Club members give countless hours of time and effort to the community by hosting our Fisherman’s Picnic.
“They need us all to step up and help them to accomplish this. After 90 years of doing this, it has become difficult to find those willing to volunteer their time and efforts to carry on the tradition. Please consider contacting your local Lions Club members to see how you can help.”
Heed her words and next year, if you get the chance, step up and lend a hand.
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