A summertime tradition in Russell returns this weekend with the 22nd annual Prairie Walleye Classic.
Over 60 teams from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario will hit Lake of the Prairies Friday and Saturday, looking to land the big one that will earn them a share of the $30,000 in prize money, including $15,000 as the top prize.
Tournament Director Eric Labaupa says it is quite a site to see the boats take off to start the competition.
"We do a shot gun start at this tournament, so they are divided up into groups. But when the horn blows for each group, you will see 20-25 boats all taking off at the same time, with the roar of the engines. People who live along the lake will hear that roar each morning while they have their coffee on the deck and see the boats go by as they go after the fish."
Labaupa adds the festivities actually begin Thursday afternoon at 5 with a parade of the competing boats.
"You don't need a fancy boat or anything like that. There will be nice ones, regular ones, it does not really matter. Everyone is excited, and every single boat in the parade will be throwing freezies and candy and gum and stuff like that to the kids and all of the people lining the street. It starts around Manitoba Avenue and makes its way all the way down Main Street in Russell."
The awards ceremony wraps up the event on Saturday night.
