The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Ever wonder what your home looks like from a bird's eye view? The Flin Flon Trout Festival is giving residence the chance to find out. Helicopter rides through Wings Over Kississing will take place during the Saturday of the festival, June 29. A maximum if four riders and a pilot will take to the sky for a roughly 10 minute flight. Leaving from Centoba, the tour will give riders the chance to see Flin Flon from above _ including their own house. Helicopter rides will cost each person $40, but Trout Festival President Tim Babcock says half of the money collected from the flights will be donated back to the festival. The tours were a big hit during the Trappers Festival in The Pas as roughly 330 helicopter rides were given in two days. The rides will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday and continue until 5 p.m. For safety reasons, a maximum weight capacity is in effect as Babcock says the flights would be best for two adults and two children. On each ride, one person will have the chance to sit up front with the pilot while three others share a bench seat in the back of the helicopter. 'We are super excited that Wings Over Kississing will be providing this service,' said Babcock. Riders are encouraged to bring along cameras for the tour. With half the money generated through the rides being donated back, Babcock says it's something Wings Over Kississing wanted to do. 'It's something they wanted to do to give back to the Trout Festival,' he said. Those interested in taking a helicopter ride are asked to sign up at Centoba, on Saturday, to find out when their flight will be. 'We also encourage people to show up early,' said Babcock, noting 20 minutes before the scheduled flight time is good. 'Once you pay you'll get an approximate time when your ride will be,' said the President. Helicopter rides are new to the Trout Festival this year as Babcock is excited about the new addition. Also new this year, the Festival will be selling buttons. Festival-goers will be able to display their button depicting Teddy the Trout. 'The idea behind the button is that a lot of festivals charge an admission, but we don't have a festival grounds, so it's hard to do that. 'We want to keep everything free as much as possible, but this is a way for people to contribute to the festival,' said Babcock. Trout Festival buttons will be on sale for $2. 'It's optional, but we're hoping everyone will see one and want one,' said the President. The buttons can later be saved as a souvenir. Though the buttons won't be used for admission for events or activities, Babcock says it's a great way to support the festival. As an extra incentive, there will be two draws for those who purchase the buttons. Festival-goers will be able to enter into a draw on Main Street in the Trout Festival booth on Friday and Saturday with draws made each night. On Friday, the draw will be made for two flight passes for the helicopter rides the following day. On Saturday, a lucky winner will walk away with a Trout Festival merchandise prize pack including new gear. Happy Birthday! Don't forget this also marks the 80th birthday of Flin Flon. During the birthday celebrations at Pioneer Square on Friday, the winners of the Photo Scavenger Hunt will be announced as well as the winners of the Fishing Derby. Making their annual appearances this year will be the canoe races, Beat the Chief, Main Street Days, the Fish Fry, and more. Hitting the stage during Main Street Days will be Mr. Richards with four shows _ two on Friday and two on Saturday. The children's entertainer has a little bit of everything up his sleeve for the performances.
