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.
The 57th Annual Trout Festival was smaller and attended by fewer people compared to other years, but head organizer Greg East remains pleased. The northern tradition wrapped up another year Sunday after a bustling three days of games, rides, music and mingling. "I'm not disappointed," said East, the festival president. "I think this is just the reality of a smaller community and a lot more things going on." The festival actually began in early June with Bakers Narrows Day before wrapping up with the lion's share of events over the weekend. Though scaled down, the celebration had many highlights. Families couldn't get enough of Main Street Days with their bevy of carnival rides, contests and live entertainment. Other downtown events included the Show and Shine vintage automobile show and a mini folk festival starring local talent. With 300 people on hand, Friday's Fish Fry at the R.H. Channing Auditorium fell short of East's hopes. "The Fish Fry was probably the smallest one ever, but the music was great," said East, noting that the social featured local talents The Hanson Sisters, Krass and the Kritters, and Eric Bergman. Another bright spot - literally - was the Canada Day fireworks. Although the lucid display was delayed night due to windy weather, those who witnessed the magnificent colours light up the night sky agreed it was worth the wait. "The fireworks were unbelievable," said Coun. Karen MacKinnon at this weeks' city council meeting. East now looks forward to next year's festival, which will run in conjunction with Flin Flon's 75th Birthday celebrations. Beyond that, he said the festival's future will be up to the public. "The community's going to have to decide what it wants to do with the Trout Festival after next year," said East. "It will be a community decision if the festival is to carry on after next year, and that will require a great deal of support that hasn't been there in the last few years." Watch Monday's paper for festival results.
