The Crystal Falls Lions Club will again play host for the 56th annual Bass Festival on Saturday and Sunday at Runkle Lake Park in Crystal Falls.

Anglers have been busy on Iron County waters this week trying to catch the “big one” for the fishing contest, which is a highlight of the festival. Registered participants can have their fish weighed in at Superior Sport & Feed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday and from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at Runkle Lake Park. Fish are registered by length and total weight.

“All fish must be weighed before frozen,” Lions Club secretary Doris Cornwell said.

Cash prizes will be awarded for largest bass, perch, bluegill, crappie, walleye and pike, in adult and children’s categories. Final entries are due by noon Sunday.

Crystal Falls Lions Club member Tony Alleraro cleans the pavilion area in preparation for this weekend’s annual Bass Festival. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Winners will be announced at 3 p.m. Sunday at the pavilion.

Festivities kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday with the annual Bass Festival parade. Line-up will begin at 9 a.m. at Forest Park School parking lot. The procession will continue down Superior Avenue. This year’s parade theme is “Freedom.”

“This is a fun part of the event for everyone,” she said.

The canoe races will begin at 11:30 a.m. on the Paint River. Participants will leave the Crystal Falls power dam and venture down to just before the M-69 bridge.

Runkle Lake Park will be the hub of the action throughout the afternoon and into the evening Saturday.

The Lions Club will start serving its famous chicken dinners at noon. Cost is $12.

“This year there will be no presale tickets,” Cornwell said. “As in the past, we are expecting dinners to go fast.”

Concessions will be available from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday. In addition to the chicken dinners, other concessions include brats, hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, strawberry shortcake and beverages.

Live music will be providing by the duo Lovin’ Country from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday.

“Music will be played throughout the day for everyone to enjoy,” she said.

The first game of the two-day volleyball tournament is set for 1 p.m. Saturday.

The day’s activities will conclude with the annual Wop-Swede softball game, with the first pitch at 7:30 p.m.

“There will be 50-50 (drawing) during the game,” Cornwell said.

Sunday’s events will begin with the breakfast buffet from 8 a.m. to noon at the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall on Superior Avenue.

The 40th annual Run Your Bass Off event, presented by Iron Endurance, will begin with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. There will be both 10K and 5K races, as well as a 2-mile Walk Your Bass Off race and a kids’ 1-mile race. The races start and end at Runkle Lake Park.

Registration is from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Participants may also register online at ironendurance.weebly.com. Fees for the 10K and 5K are $20 pre-registration and $25 on race day. Fees for the 2-mile walk are $10 pre-registration and $15 on race day. The kids’ 1-mile event fee is $5. There will also be water and snacks at the finish line. Race-day registrants will receive T-shirts as long as supplies last.

Awards will be presented at the pavilion after all races are complete.

The remaining Sunday festivities continue at the park.

The annual community picnic starts at noon. Concession will be available from noon to 6 p.m.

The group Fireside will perform from noon to 6 p.m.

Children’s games and races begin at 1 p.m. The volleyball tournament also continues, as well as a horseshoe contest.

Tickets for the major raffle remain available for $5 each. First place is $1,000, second $500, third $400, fourth $225, fifth $150, sixth $100; with 10 more places of $50. Only 1,200 tickets will be sold.

Tickets are available from any Lions Club member or at the park until the drawing at 6 p.m. Sunday, Cornwell said.

The Dickinson-Iron District Health Department will offer COVID-19 vaccinations on site throughout the weekend, along with a lactation tent for moms.

The baby and toddler competition will not take place this year. “We just don’t have enough manpower,” she explained.

Fewer club members made planning in general difficult this year, Cornwell said. So the Lions Club would welcome volunteers to help at the event. Those interested can just show up at the park or contact Cornwell at 906-464-8506.

The organization always seeks new members as well. The Crystal Falls Lions meet at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Lions Den at Runkle Lake. Anyone interest in joining or learning more about the group is encouraged to attend or contact Cornwell.

The Bass Festival is the Crystal Falls Lions Club’s primary fundraiser. All the money taken in by the club, established in 1953, goes back into the community, including scholarships for three seniors each year.

“We want everyone to come and have a great time,” Cornwell said.