Due to Covid-19, the big Ice Buster Daze Fishing Derby held in Crookston was canceled in 2021. This year it is back and better than ever with two days of fun-filled action. The event will be held on Friday, February 11, and Saturday, February 12, with most of the action on Friday taking place inside the Crookston Inn.
Crookston Visitors Bureau (CVB) Treasurer Jess Bengtson is one of the individuals helping lead some of the events this year, and she provided how the event has transformed into two days of fun instead of one. “The CVB really wanted to help out Ice Buster Daze with the Fishing Derby and make it a two-day event,” said Bengtson. “Some businesses and individuals were able to add to it, so now we have two days of fun that will be taking place. Of course, the big fishing derby will be on Saturday still with a breakfast in the morning, and then prizes awarded at the Crookston Inn later that night. There is also a lot of stuff going on Friday night this year as well, though.”
Friday night at the Crookston Inn, there will be an Eat United Summer Food Program fundraiser from 5-7:30 p.m. The event that will be taking place is an Indoor Ice Fishing Tournament, and Bengtson explained some of the activities that will be taking place. “Will start the night off with the Indoor Ice Fishing Tournament,” said Bengtson. “That evening, there will also be a comedian John DeBoer at the Crookston Inn beginning at 8:00 p.m., and the cover charge for that is $20. Most of the events will be happening this year at the Crookston Inn.”
The cost of admission on Friday night is $20. Other activities inside the Crookston Inn on Friday night include Roasting Marshmallows with Marshall the Paw Patrol Fire Dog, a meal included with the $20 ticket, prizes that will be handed out, and much more. The tickets can be purchased at the Crookston Inn ahead of time or available at the door, but a limited amount is available. The first 25 kids who show up on Friday night to the Crookston Inn will also receive Mall of America Nickelodeon Universe passes, and Moose Mountain Adventure Golf passes that have been donated by KROX.
The Fishing Derby will take place on Saturday, February 12, from 1-4 p.m. at Central Park on the Red Lake River, with registration beginning at 11:00 a.m. There is a limit of 350 tickets sold for the Fishing Derby, and tickets can be bought in advance at the Crookston Hardware Hank. The price is $25 for a hole, including a Sloppy Joe Supper that will be held after the event at the Crookston Inn from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The top 17 places in the Fishing Derby will be awarded prizes, with first-place receiving an Eskimo Rocket 8” Ice Auger.
Bengtson noted without the help of many businesses in Crookston, the event wouldn’t be possible. “There are so many businesses that have come together, and without them, we couldn’t pull this off,” said Bengtson. “It’s a unique event, and making it two days has been very fun. There are so many donations, whether it’s money or different prizes, and lots of businesses that have pulled together to make this event happen.”
If you have any questions about the events taking place on Friday night, you can contact the United Way of Crookston at 218-281-1715 or exec@unitedwayofcrookston.org. If you have questions about the events on Saturday, you can call Brian at 218-281-7762.
