The Crystal Falls Lions Club is preparing to celebrate 60 years of service in the community at the annual Bass Festival this weekend. The festivities kick off Friday and will continue through Sunday at Runkle Lake Park Complex in Crystal Falls. Club President Ryan O’Grady shows off a poster for this year's event at the Lions Den in the park. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

CRYSTAL FALLS — Get ready for a full weekend of fun, food and fishing at the annual Bass Festival, set for Friday through Sunday in Crystal Falls.

This year’s theme is “Crystal Falls Lions — 60 years of service/Let’s ‘roar’ into 60 more.”

“This long-running tradition has provided memories for many generations — and this year is no exception,” Crystal Falls Lions Club President Ryan O’Grady said. “We have another great event planned, bringing back the favorites that have kept people coming back for years.”

Activities for the three-day event kicks off with the Finn vs. Polack softball games Friday at Runkle Lake Park Complex.

The doubleheader starts with the women taking the field at 6 p.m., with the men to follow at 8 p.m.

Concessions will be available during the games.

“This is one of the newer additions to the lineup two years ago. Prior, it took place during the Humongous Fungus Festival,” he said. “We moved it to Bass Fest Friday night, just to make sure it will be able to be part of a big event during the summer.”

Saturday’s festivities begin with the 60th-annual Bass Festival parade at 10 a.m. Line-up will start at 9 a.m. at Forest Park School. They will proceed down Main Street and disband at Superior Sport and Feed.

Prizes will be awarded: $100 for first; $50 for second and $40 for third. Categories include theme, comedy and commercial.

The Herbie Nylund Memorial Canoe Race on the Paint River will take place after the parade. Racers will start at the Crystal Falls Power Plant and end at the bridge at the bottom of Superior Avenue. Participants can register at 11 a.m.

The event has been renamed after a longtime participant, Bob “Herbie” Nylund, who recently passed away unexpectedly. “He was a big part of the canoe race for many years,” O’Grady said. “The family was kind enough to allow us to do this. Herbie was a great guy and a big community figure in Crystal Falls.”

Activities continue into the evening at Runkle Lake Park Complex. Kids bounce house will be open for youngsters to enjoy throughout both Saturday and Sunday.

The famous barbecue chicken dinners will become available at 11 a.m. Saturday and sold on a first-come, first-served basis. They will cook 500 chicken dinners this year.

O’Grady noted the chicken dinners remain a picnic staple. Having moved to Crystal Falls in 2020, he recalls what the picnic was like even during the COVID pandemic. “There were still cars lined up trying to get these chicken dinners,” he said. “Goes to show you how important this tradition is to the community.”

“It’s really cool to be a part of it, being someone from the outside coming in,” he added.

Based on community feedback, the Lions Club brought back a few things they had stepped away from in recent years.

“For example, the milk and cookies, which is the big thing we do on Friday evenings, returns as part of the chicken dinner,” O’Grady said. “It’s fun — everyone loves it.”

The North Country Cruisers will host a car show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the soccer field area of the park.

“Whoever is interested is welcome to come, park their vehicle and enjoy the day,” he said.

Other concessions — including brats, hamburgers, hot dogs fries and beverages — will open at noon and continue through 6:30 p.m.

The first game of the two-day volleyball tournament is set for 1 p.m. Saturday. Players can register at 12:30 p.m. at the Lions Den.

“This is probably the most competitive and most fun for the younger men and women,” O’Grady said.

Some familiar faces will return to the park to provide entertainment for the weekend. The local group Lovin’ Country will provide music from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

The day concludes with the annual Wop vs. Swede softball game at 7:30 p.m. A concession stand will be available for the game.

On Sunday, the Veterans of Foreign Wars at 108 Superior Ave. in Crystal Falls will open from 8 a.m. to noon for breakfast.

Lace up Sunday morning for the 44th-annual Run Your Bass Off event, presented by Iron Endurance. Registration begins at 7 a.m., with the race to start promptly at 9 a.m. Events will include the “Full Bass” 10K, “Half Bass” 5K as well as the 2-mile Walk Your Bass Off race and kids’ 1-mile race. Races start and end at Runkle Lake Park.

Organizers will present awards at the pavilion after all races are complete.

Festivities continue at the park on Sunday.

Melanie Rose of the local area will play a variety of acoustic music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the Iron County duo of Larry Ketola and Paul Sundquist taking over from 1 to 5 p.m.

“We have brought these talented musicians back again this year — we know everyone enjoys them,” O’Grady said.

The baby pageant takes place at noon at the pavilion. Those wanting to sign up their little ones are encouraged to arrive a little early.

“It’s one of those traditions that was a really big part of the festival and it stopped for a few years, just because they didn’t have enough volunteers,” he said. “Our club has really grown over the last couple years and finally has the capacity to do it again — we are really proud of that.”

Concessions open at noon and will continue through 6 p.m.

The volleyball games continue, along with the horseshoe contest at 1 p.m. Anyone interested can register at 12:30 p.m.

The children’s games are set to start at 2 p.m.

Another highlight of the festival is the fishing tournament, sponsored by Superior Sport and Feed in Crystal Falls. Anglers have been busy on Iron County waters this week trying to catch the “big one.” Registered participants can have their fish weighed in at Superior Sport & Feed until Sunday. Fish are registered by length and total weight; no frozen fish will be accepted.

Winners in the six categories will be announced at 3 p.m. at the pavilion.

Tickets are available for $5 each for the raffle drawing that has a top prize of $1,000. Winners for the raffle will be drawn at 6 p.m. at the park.

They will also have 50-50s throughout both days.

The Bass Festival will conclude at 7 p.m. Sunday.

The organization is already having conversations on how they want to evolve the festival next year, O’Grady said. “We are keeping it pretty similar this time, but want to continue to do more cool stuff in the future,” he said.

The club is always open to ideas and feedback. Those wishing to submit future requests can send a message on the Crystal Falls Lions Club Facebook page.

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

“We want to continue to celebrate this incredible tradition in this little town of ours for many more years to come,” O’Grady said. “And hopefully it also continues to grow, along with the town and Iron County.”

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.