Fishing, festival at Lake Fork

There will be fishing, running, tossing bean bags and axes, great music and much more this weekend at Lake Fork.

Bassmasters returns to Lake Fork and Wood County this week for a four-day professional Elite Series fishing tournament and a two-day family festival, headquartered at the Caney Point Recreation Area off Hwy. 154 north of the lake bridge between Quitman and Yantis.

The bass fishermen shove off early each morning May 8-11 from Caney Point, which also hosts the family fun festival Saturday and Sunday, co-sponsored by UT Health Quitman, the Wood County Economic Development Commission, the Sabine River Authority and the Pilot Club of Quitman.

The Quitman-Lake Fork Kiwanis Club will help get the day going on Saturday with the return of the Great Dam Fun Run. Registration ends at 7 a.m. Saturday at the Sabine River Authority headquarters on PR 5183 off FM 288.

Register for the cornhole tournament at Caney Point from 8-9 a.m. Saturday, sponsored by Wood County Electrical Co-op.

Venture South will perform Saturday at 1 p.m. and again at 4:30 p.m., and special musical guest Chris Cagle takes the stage Sunday at 1 p.m.

The final weigh-in is Sunday at 2:30 p.m., followed by announcement of the winners.

Events planned both days are axe throwing, chainsaw carving demonstration, catfish tank, the Creature Teacher, Hooker Ranch equine rescue, Piney Woods Raceway remote-controlled car display and demonstration, and A-doorables art exhibit.

There will be numerous food trucks and a variety of vendors on hand. A beer and wine garden will also be available daily from 11-5.

All the information and registration forms can be found at lakeforkfamilyfest.com.

Tackle Warehouse is the title sponsor for Bassmasters Elite Series.