KALKASKA -- Kalkaska locals hope the early spring weather will reel in plenty of activity for the 74th National Trout Festival.
The festival kicks off Wednesday in Kalkaska and wraps on Sunday, with a full events schedule in between. Local businesses could use the expected financial boost the festival promises, with its crowds and events for all ages, officials said.
"It gets a lot busier than a normal week," said Nader Saco, who owns Whitetails Steak N Ale restaurant.
Festival week is among the busiest each year and in this economy every penny counts, Saco said. The restaurant is stocked up on extra food, drinks and additional employees on the schedule.
"I hope it's busier than a normal year," Saco said.
The festival not only energizes the town for spring and summer but also serves as a homecoming event for Kalkaska natives, village President Virginia Thomas said.
"We've all had a long winter and it's the first thing every spring," she said.
All the usual events are back, including a fishing tournament, parades, carnival rides, a demolition derby and the crowning of a new trout king and queen.
A new event will be a beverage and entertainment tent on Saturday, where several bands will perform. Entrance will cost $5.
"We're experimenting this year with it and will see how it goes," said Diana Needham, festival chairwoman.
The last two festivals brought wind, rain, sleet and snow. Officials closed the carnival rides last year due to bad weather, and that's the festival's money-maker, Needham said.
Last year's inaugural fly-fishing contest and demonstrations on the Boardman River will return this year at Ranch Rudolph on Brown Bridge Road. Trout fishing and fly-casting go hand in hand, organizers said.
"There are many different ways to fish and fly-fishing is one of them. The Boardman River is such a beautiful fly-fishing river," said Melody Hamill, Ranch Rudolph co-owner.
Participants can learn to tie flies and properly cast them, she said.
"Learning how to cast the line is an art," Hamill said.
Another second-time event is the motorcycle show at the Kaliseum on Saturday.
"We're praying for good weather. We need a good year," Needham said.
Call 258-9103 or visit www.nationaltroutfestival.com for more information. A daily events schedule will be published in the Record-Eagle starting Wednesday.
