When the Bassmaster Elite Series visited the St. Lawrence River in August 2018, a record 36,200 fans showed up to cheer on their favorite Elite Series pros. Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
A scene from the 2019 Bassmaster when 75 Bassmaster Elite anglers prepared to race out from the Whittaker Park Boat Launch in Waddington onto the St. Lawrence River for the start of the competition. Photo submitted.
BY ADAM ATKINSON
North Country This Week
WADDINGTON — The Bassmaster Elite Series returns to Waddington on July 15-18, with world class bass anglers vying for top spot honors on the St. Lawrence River, culminating in the crowning of the 2021 Bassmaster Angler of the Year.
The event, based at Whitaker Park off State Route 37/Pine Street, is expected to flood the small community with more than 30,000 Bassmaster fans and visitors and a variety of music, food, vendor shows, product demonstrations and other festivities are planned throughout the three days.
The Bassmaster Elite Series is the highest level of professional bass fishing tournaments, said the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce on their website. Competitors must qualify for the series through the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens or the B.A.S.S. Nation, and anglers who are already on the Elite Series must re-qualify each year by maintaining enough points throughout the season, the chamber said.
The event was cancelled last year due to concerns over the pandemic.
The 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series will include limited capacity at Whittaker Park and a variety of fun entertainment throughout the weekend at the Park and Downtown.
Elite level competitors are scheduled to launch from Whitaker Park at 7 a.m. each day of the tournament. Weigh-ins, which will be public are scheduled for 3 p.m. the same days.
A Main Street Cruise-In featuring classic cars and motorcycles, music and food trucks is planned in downtown Waddington on Thursday, July 15 from 5-9 p.m.
Boats & Tunes on Main will take place in downtown Waddington on Friday,
July 16 from 5-9:30 p.m. The event will feature a boat show, food trucks and music. “Double Axel” will perform, sponsored by Seaway Trail Auto Sales/Car Wash and Premier Self Storage as part of the Waddington Concert Series from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
The Expo opens at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 17 and 18, with fun for the whole family. Free events and entertainment planned include B.A.S.S. sponsors’ displays and activities from companies like Toyota, Yamaha, Power-Pole and Garmin; boat ride demonstrations by
Nitro/Ranger/Mercury and Skeeter/Yamaha; sale tents of official Bassmaster merchandise; and concessions vendors.
The Waddington Main Street Market will take place downtown Saturday, July 17 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Vendors, food trucks and live streaming of the Tournament & Weigh-In will be broadcast for Bassmaster fans. There will be a free shuttle running between Whittaker Park & Main Street between 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
The Fish & Fun Festival is slated for Sunday in Whitaker Park, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. with local food and craft vendors. Live music is planned from 1-3 p.m.
Saturday is Military and First Responders Appreciation Day. Show your military or first responder ID to a staff person at the Bassmaster merchandise booth and get a free Bassmaster hat (Limited to the first 100 people).
Sunday is B.A.S.S. Member Appreciation Day. Show your B.A.S.S. member card to a staff person at the Bassmaster merchandise booth and get a FREE Bassmaster hat (Limited to the first 100 people).
This tournament is supported by a Market New York grant from I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism awarded as part of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.
The tournament is also supported by the Village of Waddington, St.Lawrence County and other sponsors.
The tournament and all associated festivities are being planned to ensure the safety of athletes, staff and guests, said the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce.
Info:
https://www.fishcap.net/events/bassmaster-elite-at-st-lawrence-river,
https://www.bassmaster.com/elite.
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