The Grand Marais Lions Club 96th Fisherman's Picnic Highlights in Photos

Aug 05, 2025 11:46AM ● By Content Editor

A participant prepares to catch a fish during the Fish Toss, while spectators (and a seagull) look on. All photos by Laura Durenberger-Grunow unless otherwise noted.

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - August 5, 2025

Another Fisherman's Picnic has come and gone, and downtown Grand Marais is returning to its usual end-of-summer pace. The Grand Marais Lions Club hosted the 96th event, which featured many popular traditions, such as the rock skipping contest, cutest puppy contest, fish toss, and the parade, among others. This year, unlike last, temperatures were at a more comfortable range with no rain, though smoky air conditions plagued the mainly outdoor event. Despite the smoky air, people enjoyed food, fellowship, and fun.

The next Fisherman's Picnic will take place from July 30 to August 2, 2026.

To learn more about the Grand Marais Lions Club, click here.

To see a list of raffle winners, click here.

(Names of event winners will be posted as they become available.)

Enjoy some photos and short videos from the event below!

"Around Town"

Nothing says "Midwest" like cheering on tiny fish at the Lions Club minnow races! Photo by Brittany North

World's Best Donuts sponsored bingo. Callers were getting ready to call numbers and hear someone holler BINGO! Photo by Brittany North

World's Best Donuts community bingo event was packed shoulder to shoulder. Photo by Brittany North

Rock Skipping Contest

The Rock Skipping Contest took place on Saturday, August 2, in the Grand Marais Harbor. Contestants were divided into "Kids 12 and Under," "Men," and "Women."

Participants could bring their own rocks or pick from some provided, and had three opportunities to throw. Each "skip" was counted, and the person with the highest count won. In the case of a tie, a "skip-off" was conducted.

This year, windy and wavy conditions made it challenging to skip, but all the contestants did a great job!

Lake Superior Trading Post sponsored the event.

The Rock Skipping Contest took place on Saturday, August 2, in the Grand Marais Harbor.

Contestants could bring their own rocks or pick from some provided.

Citizen of the Year

Each year, the Grand Marais Lions Club accepts nominations for the Citizen of the Year Award. The award is given to a person or couple whose volunteer work and service has improved Cook County. The selection is based on their past and current contributions to the community.

This year, the award went to Steve Deschene for his contributions to the VITA Tax Program and the Grand Marais Food Shelf, among others.

Watch Lions Club President Pete Kavanaugh announce the winner, and as Steve accepts the award.

Rock Painting Contest

Joynes Ben Franklin sponsored the Rock Painting Contest, and announced the winners Saturday afternoon on the Harbor Park Stage.

Watch a video of store co-owner Tyler Dean announce the winners.

Joynes Ben Franklin owners Tyle and Jessica Dean (2nd from left and right) pose with the rock painting contest winners.

Just some of the rocks that showcased the work of many talented artists!

Loon Calling Contest

The Loon Calling Contest took place over two evenings, with the preliminary round taking place on Friday and the finals happening on Saturday.

The contestants had the opportunity to do a practice round before stepping up to the microphone for a second time for the "judged" round.

Winners were chosen via audience applause and cheers.

Watch a video of the finalists in the "Adult" category do their best loon call.

Finalists in the "Adult" category line up for the Loon Calling Contest.

Rylee Vedders - Winner of the "Under 16" category. Photo courtesy of the Grand Marais Lions Club

Sydnee Robinson - Winner of the "16 and over" category. Photo courtesy of the Grand Marais Lions Club

Cutest Puppy Contest

The Cutest Puppy Contest took place on Saturday, August 2. This crowd favorite began with a "Puppy Parade" at the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery, and made its way to the Grand Marais Harbor tent.

The puppies were divided into categories based on size. Judges selected a winner from each category, and then a "Best in Show" was chosen as the overall winner. Each puppy was awarded an individual award, such as "Best whiskers" or "Best tricks."

Rocky Knoll Boarding and Lake County Veterinary sponsored the contest.

To see a video of the Puppy Parade, click here.

Rocky Knoll Boarding founder and owner Josiah Avery explains the rules of the contest at the beginning of the event.

A contestant in the "Tiny" category, Cashmere was showing off some serious style.

The Cutest Puppy Contest has become a staple during the Grand Marais Lions Club Fisherman's Picnic.

Pup Frankie, a "Dorkie" (part Dachshund and Yorkie), won in the "Small" dog category.

Snowy, a rescue pit bull and blue healer mix who happens to be deaf, won in the "Medium" category and ultimately "Best in Show."

Some of the contestants posed with their owners after the event.

96th Fisherman's Picnic Parade

Here are some highlights from the parade, which took place on Sunday, April 3. People from local businesses and organizations walked down Broadway Avenue onto Wisconsin Street, handing out candy, branded goodies, and even squirting attendees with water guns. Many lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the parade. Marathon Gas Station sponsored the event.

Watch a video of the beginning of the parade here.

See a short clip of the Shriners' cars zipping around Broadway Avenue.

Parade Winners:

Best in parade

Hungry Hippie Tacos (1st)

North Superior Fisheries (2nd)

WTIP (3rd)

Best Class Reunion Float

Class of 1985 (1st)

Class of 1965 (2nd)

Class of 1995 (3rd)

Funniest Entry

Johnson Foods (1st)

Shriner cars (2nd)

Grand Marais State Bank (3rd)

Grand Marais Volunteer Fire Department

North Shore Health

WTIP North Shore Community Radio

National Park Service & Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa - Rendezvous Days & Pow-Wow

Citizen of the year Steve Deschene

Violence Prevention Center

First and Second Thrift Store

Minnesota House of Representatives member Roger Skraba

Hungry Hippie Tacos

South of the Border Cafe

Putt-N-Pets Mini Golf

Smitty's Auto & Transmission

Marathon Gas

North Superior Fisheries

Sawtooth Mountain Clinic's Oral Health Taskforce

North Shore Federal Credit Union

Northern Truck and Trailer

Arrowhead Cooperative

Como Oil & Propane

Buck's

Sivertson Gallery

Johnsons Foods

Drum & Bugle

Class of 1955

US Forest Service

Class of 1965 - celebrating its 60th reunion

Class of 1975

Class of 1985

Class of 1995

Class of 2005

Class of 1980, "There's no place like home."

Class of 2015 - 10-year reunion

Car from 1922

Car from 1929

Maple Hill Volunteer Fire Department

Fish Toss

Another crowd favorite is the Fish Toss - taking place along Wisconsin Street on Sunday afternoon of Fisherman's Picnic.

Teams begin standing close together, and each time one member catches the fish, they spread further apart. The fish starts cold, frozen, and slimy, but quickly turns sticky and floppy. Participants also had to dive around seagulls who were hoping for an easy meal.

The team that throws and catches the farthest distance apart wins.

Check out a short clip here.

North Shore Fisheries sponsored the event.