Just waiting for ice conditions to be right to get set up going
It’s looking like this holiday season is going to cool down enough that the Lockport Ice Fishing Village is going to be able to make its return again. “It’s free events that we put on where we clear roads and set up games and a skating rink. It really just brings the community together,” explained Erik Stone, Co-owner of Red River Cats.
Stone said that it’s a bit early to be able to say exactly what day the ice fishing village will be officially open, but if all goes well and we get cool enough temperatures for long enough, he thinks that the village could be open around the beginning of January. This is all contingent on the ice thickness level.
Red River Cats coordinates the set up of the Lockport Ice Fishing Village, but if any businesses or community members want to help make the magic happen, there are still opportunities to help out.
“Anybody who’d be willing to donate any time or money would be phenomenal. They can just give us a call. We do have an honorarium system, and we are looking for a bunch of volunteers to help set up the village. Because it’s completely a volunteer (effort),” said Stone.
As in previous years, there will be roads and bays for people to set up for fishing, but for non-fishers or just people wanting to have some fun on the ice, there are a few other activities.
“We will make up our skating rink. We do a croco-curl, which is like crokinole, but with curling rocks. And then, we’re going to do a slingshot alley again this year, which was tons of fun,” said Stone.
For those not versed in slingshot alley, it involves a couple of bands attached to a harness, and the lucky person is propelled forward on a sled or toboggan because of the elastic force.
Also, another fun part of the ice fishing village that will be coming back again is that the local Domino’s has agreed to deliver pizzas on the ice again this year. Just call them up and let them know what street in the ice fishing village you are on, and they can deliver it right to your shack.
The Ice Fishing Village is a way to make ice fishing more accessible to everyone.
“You can bring people down, and you can share that experience with them. A lot of people. It’s just hard to get out ice fishing, but to be able to come where everybody is out and everybody’s so friendly. (If you say,) ‘I’m having a problem.’ (They go,) ‘Oh, what’s your problem?’ And they’ll come over and help you,” said Stone.
It has also become quite the community gathering spot, especially on warm winter days.
“I think it just brings a lot of people together. I’ve met a lot of amazing people in the base village. I can’t tell you how many people I’m in contact with year-round who have helped me with business, or we’ve become friends. It’s incredible how people are really starting to know each other. And people are rearranging shacks because they met a guy down the ice they really liked, and now they want to be neighbours. It’s really cool to see that kind of stuff going on,” said Stone.
If you want to stay updated on the official season opening, Stone suggests following their Instagram page at www.instagram.com/lockportlive or going to their website at lockportlive.ca.
Stone hopes that people come down and enjoy.
“It’s a totally free event. We do a lot of different games. We give out a lot of prizes, and we’ve got a lot of different stuff, so if you’re not a fisherman, it’s still just a really fun family day. I’d recommend you come check it out,” said Stone.
If you’d like to donate or volunteer at the village, give Red River Cats a ring at 1-204-757-9876.
