On March 9, the Rimbey Fish and Game Association will host the 2024 Rimbey Fish and Game Banquet at the Peter Lougheed Community Centre.
The evening will feature a unique dining experience from Mad Catering out of Rimbey, which is known for its plethora of homemade pies and outstanding cuisine. The Fish and Game Association has also invited world champion auctioneer Dean Edge to join them for the evening.
The banquet is part of a fundraising initiative by the association with proceeds going towards the creation of their new archery program aimed at engaging more youth in the area.
The Rimbey Fish and Game Association is a non-profit organization that has about 300 members annually and is affiliated with the Alberta Fish and Game Association. Their goal is to work towards ensuring more habitat, fish, and wildlife for the use and enjoyment of Albertans and to promote the conservation and utilization of fish and wildlife through educational programs, as well as protect and enhance the habitats they depend upon.
The organization’s new archery program will be located at Open Creek Dam Campground.
The campground is leased from Clearwater County and is privately owned and operated by the Rimbey Fish and Game Association. Open Creek Dam Campground is located just 32 km west of Rimbey on Highway 53 and is open from May through September. The Campground is family and pet-friendly with campsites, day-use areas, walking paths, hiking trails, boat launches, playgrounds, a camp kitchen, picnic tables, wildlife viewing opportunities, and soon an archery course.
Recently, the organization announced they have signed a 10-year term with the Oilman’s Shootout. The event is Canada’s largest outdoor shoot and features anywhere from 500 to 800 archers depending on weather conditions. Participants in the event in past years have come from as far away as Europe and South America to compete in the event.
Director of Publicity for the Rimbey Fish and Game Association Brandon Boven said the organization is also still working on their lodge at the Rimbey Golf Course - a project they began during COVID that they hope to see completed this year.
“We are excited to start working on the trails and archery loops at Open Creek,” said Boven. “To be out in nature where we’re at is a gift we try to share with as many people as possible.”
Tickets to the upcoming Fish and Game Association are available at Stationary Stories and Sounds in Rimbey as well as through the association via their Facebook page.
A number of unique prizes will be available through their raffle, which will be drawn at the banquet, including a Tikka T3x Superlite in Stainless Steel 30-06 for the first prize, $500 cash for the second prize and a five-night camping trip for the third prize.