WADDINGTON - The St. Lawrence County Chamber, in collaboration with the Village of Waddington, announces the much-anticipated 2024 Humminbird Bassmaster Elite Tournament, set to take place August 15-18. The event will not only showcase top-tier bass fishing talent but will also serve as the backdrop for the inaugural Outdoor Sports Showcase at Whitaker Park on August 17 and 18.

The Bassmaster Elite Series is the pinnacle of professional bass fishing tournaments, featuring competitors who must qualify through rigorous competitions. The event will host 103 professional anglers competing along the St. Lawrence River for the final tournament of the series season and will be nationally recognized, highlighting the 2024 Bassmaster ‘Series Champion’, ‘Rookie of the Year’, and ‘Angler of the Year' awarded in Waddington’s Whitaker Park.

Bassmaster will be featuring series sponsors, fishing demos and more for all four days of the tournament. The local festival component, hosted by the STLC Chamber, will be held on the weekend, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Outdoor Sports Showcase will feature a diverse array of regional outdoor sports, experiences, recreational activities, and more leading up the weekend angler weigh-ins. “This family-friendly event is an excellent opportunity for businesses, organizations, and clubs in the North Country to showcase their offerings, attract memberships, signups, and engage in general marketing initiatives”, said STLC Chamber Tourism & Events Manager, Kathryn Puleo.

“This is an exciting event for the Village of Waddington, St. Lawrence County and the entire region, it’s a wonderful opportunity to show off the beauty of the St. Lawrence River, our outdoor resources and activities to local residents and tourists,” said Kathryn Puleo, Tourism & Events Manager of the STLC Chamber.

Puleo said the STLC Chamber wants to showcase and share information on area opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts such as fishing guides, hunting, golf, ATV, snowmobile and paddling clubs, hiking groups, outfitters, local sporting apparel and sports shops, and more. Select local vendors will also be featured and welcomed to apply to the showcase.

Businesses in the Village of Waddington are also expected to be featured. 

“Though the festival component is set in the park leading up to the top 50 and top 10 angler weigh-ins on the weekend of the tournament, we are looking to partner and highlight businesses throughout the Village of Waddington. Organizations such as the Waddington Concert Series have established programming to offer during the tournament, and we are looking to support, and highlight festivities taking place throughout the village during the entire series” said Puleo. 

Businesses in the Village of Waddington can also submit sales, discounts and special activities taking place at their location to be featured within local marketing efforts.

Those looking to participate in The Outdoor Sports Showcase or be featured within downtown Waddington promotions can apply under the events listing on VisitSTLC.com or reach out to Tourism & Events Manager, Kathryn Puleo at Kathryn@SLCchamber.org.