The Fishing Highway Tourist Association plans to bring back its signature winter events this year.
Planning is underway for the association's Highway 24 Ice Fishing Derby on Sheridan Lake and the Highway 24 Outhouse Races. The derby will take place on Jan. 25 at the Sheridan Lake Resort, while the Outhouse Races will take place on Feb. 16 at the Iron Horse Pub in Lone Butte, beginning at 10:00 a.m., with the races set to begin at 11:00 a.m.
"After two years of challenging weather events, snow storms in 2023 and lack of ice and snow in 2024, it is looking like we're back on track for both events," Irene Meili, the president of the Fishing Highway Tourist Association said. "I think the community is ready to dig out their ice fishing equipment and build or touch up those racing outhouses to make the two events a tremendous success again."
After having to cancel the derby and scale down the races last year due to warm weather, Meili is looking forward to hosting them both again, starting with the derby. As in previous years, she said it will challenge fishermen and fisherwomen to drill holes in Sheridan Lake and catch the biggest fish.
"They'll try to catch the biggest one possible. And then, if they have one, they will come back to the resort and weigh their fish. The heaviest fish wins first prize," Meili explained.
The exact prizes up for grabs are being kept secret, but first place will have a retail value of $1,000 while second place will be $500 and third $250. There will also be door prizes for the event.
This will be the first Ice Fishing Derby held since 2023, as the 2024 event had to be cancelled due to insufficient ice thickness on Sheridan Lake. Meili says that this event is all about having fun on the lake.
"A lot of people, they might already live on the lake, or they might already have their special spot on the lake, and then they will take their snowmobiles or snowshoes to fish there and come back to the Sheridan Lake resort for the weigh-in," Meili stated, adding that the event has become a tradition for locals.
Tickets for the derby are available at Lone Butte Sporting Goods, The Country Pedlar, Interlakes RONA, Interlakes Market, the Screamin Reel in 100 Mile House, or at the Sheridan Lake Resort on the day of the event. Junior tickets are going $5 for those aged six to 16 while adult tickets are $10 each.
The Outhouse Races on the other hand, according to Meili, is another popular tradition for the local community. In past, over a dozen teams have come together to create the best-looking outhouses and race them through the snow, often to hilarious results.
"You've got a team of three participants and you've got the outhouse. There's always going to be one person on the potty and two people who either push or pull the outhouse," Meili explained. "It's a three-portion race. You've got to switch drivers (every portion) and sometimes, you have to pick up a plunger or toilet paper along the way. Then cross the finish line and put the toilet paper and plunger in a bucket."
Meili remarked the team with the fastest time wins the race. The race is divided into several categories: one for men, one for women and another one for juniors. In addition, there will be a competition for which outhouse is the most beautiful, and there will be a parade of outhouses before the race.
The association will be bringing back snow games first introduced during last year's event, including throwing toilet paper rolls.
"You throw toilet rolls, and they have to land inside a toilet or close to a toilet," Meili said, describing a game they added last year. "It's all about targets - like tossing something or kicking something, and then you collect points, and again, the one with the most points wins a prize."
Registration to compete in the Outhouse Races is open now via fishinghighway24.com under the contact us tab with registration open until 10 a.m. on the day of the race. Online registration is $10 a team while race day registration is $15 per team.
Participants can either build their outhouses to race in or use some provided by Meili and the other organizers. If they choose to build their outhouse it must be built of solid material with four walls, a roof and a doorway, have a toilet seat for the pilot and a set of skis to glide on. A full list of all requirements can also be found on the association's website.
During the Outhouse Races, Meili said the association will be running a 50/50. While she is not exactly what the association's cut of the fundraiser will go towards, she said their new Lake Keepers project is a likely candidate.
Meili adds that there are also some important safety requirements for both events. Anyone who buys a ticket for the derby needs to read through the association's policy on lake safety and should wear weather-appropriate clothing. For the Outhouse Races, meanwhile, Meili also recommends participants dress warmly and wear non-slippery footwear.
"It's common sense," she said.
