Exeland Trout Fest 2023

31st Annual Exeland Trout Festival

The 31st Annual Exeland Trout Festival is underway in Exeland, Wisconsin. This year the dates will include

Friday, September 1st
Saturday, September 2nd
Sunday, September 3rd

On Monday, August 28, the Medallion Hunt took place and was found on Thursday, August 31, 2023 by Wendy Reed, according to a Facebook post by the Exeland Trout Festival official Facebook page. Clues were available at the Exeland Depot or the Rod & Gun Club facebok page. The finder of the medallion received $75 to be presented on Friday, September 1st at 7:00pm at the Sports Center.

Raffles

The $100 Cash Raffle tickets are all sold out The drawing will take place at 5:30PM, Sunday, September 3 at the Sports Center Pavilion. Good luck to everyone who bought one of these tickets.

4-Wheeler & Gun Raffle tickets are still available at the Buckhorn Bar, the Rock Castle, Queens or any Rod & Gun Club member. $5 per ticket or a book for $10. Drawing is at 5:30PM, Sunday, September 3 at the Sports Center Pavilion.

A special Kayak Raffle with a limit of 200 tickets is also taking place. Tickets are $10 each. The drawing will be at 7:00PM, Friday, September 1st at the Sports Center near the softball field.

Special Note: The raffle is "In Memory of Cynthia Georgeson". Cindy worked for the Olde Town Canoe Company. After attending the Trout Fest last year, she was so impressed with the facility and professional of the fest that she had her company donate a kayak to the Rod & Gun Club. Sandly, shortly after, Cindy unexpectedly passed away. The Club will never forget this wonderful gesture by such a beautiful person and extend a heartwarming 'Thank You' to the Georgeson family for this precious gift.

The 31st Special Anniversary Raffle is sold out. The raffle for these cash prizes will be held at 6:30PM, Saturday 2 at the Sports Center Pavilion.

Special Note: There has been a change to the Kid's Bike Raffle. This year the raffle will take place at 3:00PM instead of 5:00PM. A boy's and a girl's bike will be given away both Saturday and Sunday each day along with some fishing poles. Entrants must be 10 years or younger. Each child will be given a ticket at the time of the raffle drawing and the winner will be drawn immediately after.

Trout Festival Shirts

The Trout Fest t-shirts are all sold out. However, special Exeland shirts or other Trout Fest shirts can be purchased from Elaine's Embroidery (Elaine Robers) at the Exeland Depot. Also, Elaine will have a shop set up on Exeland's Main Street at the Craft & Rummage Sale on Saturday morning September 2nd, 2023.

Trout Festival Buttons

Don't forget to buy your Trout Fest button. Price at the first fest in 1993 was $3. Price today at the 31st Annual Trout Fest is still $3. Buttons can be purchased from any of the local businesses, queen contestants or the gate at the Sports Center during the event.

Friday Night Special

An Olde-time baseball game will be held at the softball filed on Friday at 6:15PM. The game will be played using baseball rules from the 1880s. Players aren't allowed to use baseball gloves and must catch the baseball with their bare hands. The game will be Menomonie Blue Caps/Sand Creek 9 versus the Exeland Rod & Gun Club. It will be very entertaining and fun to watch, you won't want to miss this exhibition game.

Chris Kroeze & Fireworks

Local legend, singer/songwriter and Nashville recording artist Chris Kroeze (runner-up on The Voice) will be performing in the Sports Center Pavilion on Friday, September 1st at 7:30PM. Seating may run out so make sure to bring bring your lawn chair. It takes a $3 Trout Fest button to see the show. Kids 12 and under are free to attend.

A great fireworks display will be held immediately after the Chris Kroeze performance.

A shoutout goes to J&F Services and Facility (Jim Peterson) of Chippewa Falls for sponsoring both the show & fireworks.

Pancake Breakfast

The pancake breakfast will be held both Saturday and Sunday mornings at the Rod & Gun Clubhouse from 7:30AM to 10:30AM. It's been said to be the best breakfast in the country.

Craft and Rummage Sales

Once again, crafters and rummage sellers are invited to sell their items on Exeland's Main Street from 8:00AM to 2:00PM on Saturday, September 2nd. There is no charge, just show up and pick a spot! Bring your own tables, please.

Salad Luncheon

Don't forget about the extraordinary "Salad Luncheon" to be held from 11:00AM to 1:30PM on Saturday, September 2nd at the United Methodist Church.

Menu: Salads, Barbeque, Pie, Lemonade and Coffee at a very low cost

Trout Fishing Contest

Good Report: After shocking the local streams the DNR reports this is the most trout they have ever seen. Of course, we're not surprised because we are the "Trout Fishing Capital of Wisconsin." Although, it may be tough to get at some spots because of the damage from last winter's storm you should be able to catch some fish. Registration for the annual fishing content (Brook Trout only and longest fish wins) begins at 7:30AM on Saturday, September 2nd in front of the Exeland Area Association building. Content ends at 11:30AM.

Entry cost: $30 Trout Fest Button

Famous fisherman, Gyp Hanson will be the judge. Wyatt Vitcenda is the defending champ.
Trophies to top 3 spots.

Bean Bag Tournament

There are not many spots left open in the 32-team double-elimination co-ed bean bag tournament. Call Conner Kopras at (715) 415-2831 to reserve a spot. The registration fee is $20 per team.

5K Run Walk and Kids Half Mile Run

Thanks to Martha Basham the 5K Run/Walk and the Kid's Half Mile Run is the Trout Fest's fastest growing event. Over a hundred participants are expected this year. The race will be at the Sports Center. Registration will begin at 8:00AM at the pavilion. The 5K Run/Walk will start at 9:00AM and the Kid's Race at 10:00AM. Awards and prizes are given out following the races.

Filled Up Events

The cribbage tournament, volleyball tournament and softball tournaments are all filled up and are unable to accept any more entrants.

Queen and Princess Contest

There are ten beautiful queen participants competing to earn the prestigious title of "Trout Fest Queen" and 12 princesses competing for "Little Miss Princess."

Both contests take place at 5:30PM on Saturday at the Sports Center Pavilion. This might be the best and most prestigious event of the Trout Fest.

The Gators & Man2Man with Margie Ann

There is outstanding music on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons in the pavilion.

The Gators, a two-person band performs on Saturday. Larry played a year professionally with the Gatlin Bys and Roxie sang professionally three-years in Las Vegas.

Man2Man Band with Margie Ann will perform on Sunday. Denny Goin has been singing in the area for nearly 50 years and now is joined by his son Jon and his daughter Margie Ann.

They always put on an outstanding show with excellent music.

Texas Hold'Em and Bingo

The club's old storage facility has been remodeled and will be host to both Texas Hold'Em and Bingo.

The Texas Hold'Em Tournament will begin at 1:00PM on Saturday, so show up a few minutes early. If you need more information, you can call Denny Kopras at (715) 943-2200.

Bingo will be held Sunday at 2:00PM. There will be two sessions, the first at 2:00PM and the second at 3:00PM. Each session is limited to 30 players. The cost is $2 per card and the winner of each game receiving half of the proceeds and the other half going to the Rod & Gun Club. Players in the first session can't play in the second session unless it does not fill up.

Miscellaneous

There are two open horseshoe pits near the Sports Center Pavilion that will be open both Saturday and Sunday to anyone who wants to play. Maybe even organize your own tournament if there are enough participants.

A nice wiffleball field will be constructed at the baseball field and can be used for all ballplayers twho want to have some games there.

If you need a break from the chaos, you can take your kids to Pat's Playground that is located at the big ballpark. A lot of nice equipment is available and fun to be had.

Don't forget there will be several large inflatable toys on the grounds both Saturday and Sunday.

Joe Trcka Street Parade

The parade will begin at 12:00PM on Sunday, September 2nd and will pass through Main Street. This is no doube one of the best parades in the great Northwoods. If you would like to enter a float or other item(s) just show up at the Swan Creek Park at 11:00AM. There is no entry fee and everyone is invited. There will be thousands of people lining up on Main Street, and this is a great opportunity for advertising or recognition. There is no entry fee and kid's can expect an overload of candy to be tossed out.

Grand Marshals

The Exeland Rod & Gun Club is proud to announce this year's Grand Marshals. Harold and Betty Brown. Both have been lifetime residents of Exeland, raised a family of six children and have been strong supports of local businesses and events. Harold has the longest running business in Exeland and actually was part of a local band in his early days. Betty has been the Weirgor Town Clerk for many years. They also are longtime members of the First Lutheran Church. As one of the Club members said, "This is long overdue but we finally got it right." Come to the parade and give Harold and Betty a warm welcome in appreciation for all they have done within the Exeland community for so many years.

Lawn Mower Races & Clay Pigeon Challenge

The Jump River Valley Mow Masters will be racing at the Sports Center track at 2:00PM. Once again, it will be for points in their racing circuit. A special half time event will feature the Bruce High School Trap Shooting Team (sponsored by Exeland Rod & Gun Club) will compete against Club Members in the clay pigeon shooting contest. Al Gerber is one of the Club shooters and captain. There will be plenty of seating (more new bleachers were purchased) so come on out and enjoy a great time!

Thank You

A big thank you goes out to some of this year's sponsors:

Northwest Sanitary
J&F Services Facility
Rock Castle
Northwoods Insurance (Andy Anderson)
Exeland Depot
Buckhorn Bar

As well as the many businesses and organizations who sponsored Queens and Princesses. Plus, thank you to everyone who supports the Exeland Rod & Gun Club by buying raffle tickets and attending the 3-day event.

The 31st Annual Exeland Trout Festival will be held no matter if it rains. We have plenty of cover with pavilions and buildings that many events will be able to take place. Also, the food, beverages and music will all still be very good. Don't be afraid if it rains - come out and enjoy great people and an extraordinary event under cover.