Events of Leech Lake, 2012
May 21, 2012
The Leech Lake area is just overflowing with events during the summer season. First on the list, the Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass Fishing Opener is on May 26th. Following the bass openers, June 2nd is the Muskie Fishing Opener. People will be flocking to the world-class fishing destination of Leech Lake for these openers! The 4th annual Leech Lake Walleye Tournament will be held from June 2nd-3rd this year. This is the largest walleye tournament in Minnesota and will attract 155 teams this season including elite fishermen, leisure fishermen, and even first timers! The contest will give away nearly $40,000 in cash and prizes! This is a non-profit event, and proceeds will go to Leech Lake area non-profit organizations.
Crazy Days in Walker happens 3 times throughout the summer season. This is a great time for shopping and finding great deals at the many shops in the area. Crazy Days will be held on June 21st, July 19th and August 9th this year.
Moondance Jam 21 will be held from July 18-21st this year. The pre-jam party starts on Wednesday, July 18th with Hairball, followed by Mountain Ash and The Bad Animals. Following the pre jam party, Moondance Jam is featuring Kid Rock, John Fogerty, and Heart this year along with a number of other bands on the main stage as well as the side stages. Moondance Jammin Country will go from June 22-23. The pre jamming party will feature 32 Below, Silverado, and Saturday Night Special. The full lineup for Moondance Jammin Coutry Fest includes: Neal McCoy, Kix Brooks, Bomshel, Hitchville, Billy Currington, Shris Cagle, Morgan Frazier, and Lost Highway.
YIKES! BIKES! Bikes Tour will happen on July 21st. This bike tour will include 18-mile, 40-mile, and 60-mile routes on paved roadways and trails. Each route is very scenic with a combination of beautiful lakeshores and thick wooded areas. There are also rest stops along the way and at the finish line for bikers to enjoy live music and snacks! This event will benefit the Leech Lake Area Habitat for Humanity.
The 6th annual Walker Bay Days will be on August 4th. Walker Bay Days is full of fun for families and kids with activities including: a volleyball tournament, a POW-WOW exhibition, a history tent, DJ entertainment, Bingo, sea plane rides, sailboat rides, a “big dig” for tokens in the sand for both children and adults, inflatable jungle gyms for children, a talent contest, a movie night, and a performance by the group The Laughing Hearts. Along with all of these activities, visitors to the Walker Bay Days can expect to spot a roaming magician and robotic puppets wandering the area, children may also encounter face painting, and a balloon animal artist! There will also be a 5K run/walk sponsored by the Walkers Lions which will award trophies to the overall male and female winners as well as ribbons to the top three in each age group.
The 41st Leech Lake Regatta will take place from August 10-13th. The Regatta is run by a volunteer committee of Leech Lake Yacht Club. There will be two fleets of races including mono-hull and multi-hull boats. This event attracts a large number of people to the Leech Lake Area – the event will include much more than just sail boat races, there will also be celebratory campfires along the shores of Leech Lake, music and camaraderie.
The 20th annual Ethnic Festival of Walker, Minnesota will take place on September 8th. This festival will be hosted by the Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and will celebrate the cultures of our ancestors. There will be a variety of ethnic cuisines as well as crafts and artistries of various countries. Ethnic Fest will also include a parade with partakers from far and near.