“We’re very, very excited to be coming to Pell City,” said Debra Talley, national marketing director for the American Bass Angler Inc./BASSMASTERS.
Talley met with Pell City officials Friday morning at the Civic Center, informing them of plans for an outdoor festival/fishing tournament Saturday, June 19, at Pell City’s Lakeside Park.
“It’s a wonderful family event,” she said.
More than 100 anglers are expected to fish in the one-day Alabama South Division 2 Bassmaster Weekend Series tournament, Talley said.
She said The American 150 Series is slated for Sunday.
Talley said the event will have much more than just a fishing tournament. Saturday crowds will pack Lakeside Park for a barbecue cook-off, a wide variety of concession and vendors, along with the fishing and hunting show, offering a variety of outdoor products. The event will also have a “Battle of the Bands” competition and much more.
“I expect it’s going to be a great weekend and a boon for our local economy,” Mayor Bill Hereford said. “I’m hoping we fill all the restaurants and hotels.”
Talley said the economic impact to the local economy is expected to reach $500,000-$750,000, with visitors buying gas, food and staying in hotels.
City parks and recreation workers, a representative from the Police Department and several members of the Chamber of Commerce attended Friday morning’s meeting, a sort of starting point for organizing the outdoor family event.
Officials say bass anglers will depart at safe light for the bass fishing tournament from the new Horizon’s lakeside development. Anglers will bring their catches back to Lakeside Park, where fish are weighed.
Talley said all the activities are planned in the Lakeside Park parking lot, where the city boat ramps and piers are located.
Hereford said public parking is at the city’s Sports Complex and at the Civic Center. No public traffic is allowed in the park that Saturday.
He said the city may arrange shuttles from the parking areas to Lakeside Park.
City officials say people who park at the sports complex can get to Lakeside Park by taking the walking bridge between the sports complex and park.
Local participation in the weekend event is also encouraged.
Lynn Batemon, chamber executive director, said the barbecue cook-off contest, craft and vendor applications and Battle of the Bands entry forms are available at the chamber office at 1618 Cogswell Ave.
Talley said events will kick off at the park at 9 a.m., and the winner of the “Battle of the Bands” should be determined by 8 p.m. that Saturday.
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