NIPIGON—When one asks Suzanne Kukko, the woman behind the drive that coordinates and helps lead the planning committee to talk about the significance of the Nipigon Fall Fishing Festival, her first response is that “This has been going on for 57 years a long time. I’m 47 so this has been around longer than me,” stated Kukko. “We start planning this in January, we are all friends and always talking throughout the year.”
The Euchre tournament is the kick off on the Thursday night with just mostly locals who come out to participate in it and essentially get the festival going.
For almost six decades, this festival has offered the community something for everyone, not just residents but tourists alike. It starts off with a 5km run/walk, on Sept.2. Then, the biggest Slow-Pitch Tournament in the region swings into the event the same night, Friday evening, with 20 teams signed up.
“It’s the one constants throughout the festival; the Slow-Pitch tournament, it goes on for four days. It’s the first thing that starts the festival and the last event that ends the festival,” explained Kukko.
Saturday, Sept. 3, features one of the most exciting events which is the Salmon Derby and a parade that runs at noon that day. “People bring up floats from Thunder Bay, we have OPG, the MNR and local businesses who have floats in the parade. We give them candy to throw out to the children watching the parade along the route,” said Kukko. "Anything with wheels is allowed to be a part of the parade, with children decorating their bicycles, and teens with their quads."
The festival is not just a fishing derby and it proves that, by including events such as the Fireman’s Challenge. This plays a dual role in that it is a way for their Volunteer Fire Department to start recruiting. It is also a fun event during which people of all ages can participate in what Kukko described as “fireman themed” activities, such as an obstacle course. “Mostly kids and tweens will come out and do the fireman themed activities, they bring the hose out and it’s a good time,” said Kukko.
The festival also has their Senior Group participating in it each year. They host the coffee and cake activity for the seniors in their community. Kukko spoke proudly of how although this festival has engaging activities for all ages that it features a “Senior’s Day” which is the Sunday, and has traditionally been for the seniors in the community.
“One-third of our volunteer committee is made up of seniors. Its kind of neat that we have members who are in their 60’s and 70’s on the committee as well as individuals in their 40’s like myself,” stated Kukko.
The seniors have been participating and helping to organize events throughout the life span of this festival. They continue to think about what they can feature that is conducive for all ages to engage in and have fun with, such as the Kid’s Talent Show, which Kukko explained is one of the favorite things that the seniors enjoy that week-end. Made up of kids who come out to share their talents, even up to a couple of days before the event two or three acts still ask to join and participate.
The Fishing Derby is definitely a big part of this week-end.
The Salmon Derby runs on the Saturday, Sept. 3, for one day, with the heaviest salmon getting a $1,000 prize. Other prizes go on from there, according to weight. Anyone can buy a ticket and participate in this. Then they have a fishing event meant for children. The Huck Finn Fishing Derby has been a huge tradition, for children ages 12 and under. Kukko explained that during the pandemic children would send in a photo of their catch. The kids enjoy fishing for their catch but also learn about conservation.
“We used to have it they’d have to bring the fish in but during COVID they’d show a picture of the fish. We continue to do this again this year. A lot of the kids they catch really small fish and they are not really eatable, so we want to teach them about conservation. We teach them about “catch and release” and then just ask them to submit a picture of the fish that they caught,” explained Kukko.
The Nipigon Arena features a variety of vendors and the cost of their arm band will get you into every event, including the food area. Kukko explained that the door entry fee is a donation to the fishing festival and funds raised are used to support a huge list of non-profit organizations withing the community. Raising funds to support these non-profit organizations around the region is a key reason for the fishing derby.
Kukko closed her conversation regarding this amazing community- oriented event by stressing how this year their entertainment, music and attractions are even more spectacular. Groups such as the Japanese Drumming group, from Thunder Bay, the Ukrainian dancers and an allusionist, who comes in from London Ontario, are scheduled to perform that week-end.
So, if you’re looking for an amazing event to spend your week-end at, take the scenic drive to Nipigon on Sept. 1- Sept. 4, and immerse yourself into a community that continues to come together from all ages, all walks of life, and all talent areas, to organize a “Fall Fishing Festival” that represents six decades of tradition.
