2009 Walker Bay Days a huge success, despite threatening weather Friday by Gail DeBoer, Staff Writer, Pilot Indepedent Newspaper The fourth annual Walker Bay Days last Friday and Saturday was a huge success by almost every measure, despite Friday evening’s thunderstorms and lightning that shortened a couple of activities. “It really went well, except for [Friday’s] weather,” Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce director Cindy Wannarka declared Monday morning. Even so, the Native American powwow exhibition, sponsored by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, and the raptor exhibit, presented by the Chippewa National Forest, drew large crowds. “The powwow exhibition was excellent; probably one of the most educational pieces I’ve ever seen of that kind,” Wannarka commented. “The master of ceremonies Lee Turney explained so much about the dances, drumming and regalia, including what everything represents and means, and how different ages have different parts in the powwow." Visitors also enjoyed the chance to see eagles and hawks brought by CNF staffers, up close. Unfortunately, because of the danger of lightning strikes on the tent, the raptor program had to be cut short. That wasn’t enough to keep Walker Bay Days visitors from coming back Saturday under less-ominous skies for the 9 a.m. 5K walk-run and other activities. Eight teams entered the volleyball tournament. The winning team included captain Heather Schmidtke, Mark Schmidtke, Nolita Christensen, Nicole Hirschey and Jeremy Mantll. In the basketball tournament, three “three on three” teams participated. Members of the winning team were Roman Brown, Brady Fairbanks and Martin Wind. Tourney winners won 50 percent of the total entry fees. Although cloud cover prevented Lake Country Air’s pontoon plane from arriving to offer rides, sailboat rides given by Shores of Leech Lake Yacht Club and Fleet Sails, and power boat rides offered by Marine Max went on and were very popular. “The Magic of Beau” saw a strolling magician and his assistant make their way through the crowds from 2 to 4 p.m., prior to their half-hour stage show. A live auction of five community members raised $500 that will help defray WBD expenses. The Pilot-Independent’s Joe Sherman offered his car-washing services, while editor Dean Morrill donated a basket of fresh garden produce. Brian Hein was auctioned off to mow someone’s lawn and Frank Lamb offered his caddy services at any golf course. MarineMax offered an evening cocktail cruise on Leech Lake. And straight from Hackensack, Lucette Diana Kensack, representing Lucette’s Pizza and Pub, arrived to offer a three-night vacation stay. To no one’s surprise, The Big Dig continued to be WBD’s most popular events. More than 500 kids participated in the sand pile dig and were rewarded with thousands of dollars in toys, generously donated by Dale and Harriet Jones of Walker. A large and appreciative audience enjoyed the WBD Talent Contest, where five youth division contestants and five adult division contestants took the stage under the Big Top Tent. Meanwhile at the Teen Tent, a scavenger hunt “had kids spread out all over city park” and jumping for the finish line in the gunny sack race, Wannarka reported. Pony rides and inflatable games were also huge attractions for the younger set. All day, bingo players crowded into the bingo tent where, for a brief period, organizers ran out of bingo cards. The Rotary fish fry was a huge and tasty success from the time it opened at 11:30 a.m. — right up to the time they ran out of fish. Even after a long and busy day, Wannarka said crowds stuck around in the evening for the After 5 Band, and then the popular Neil Diamond Tribute Show. After the Tribute Show, WBD raffle winners were announced. First place winner was Matt Hranicka of Walker, who won a weekend resort stay at Hiawatha Beach Resort on Leech Lake. The second place winner, Robin Hendrickson, Chandler, Ariz., won a weekend stay at Trapper’s Landing Lodge. Third place went to Nancy Johnson of Akeley, who won a weekend stay at Horseshoe Bay Resort. Roland Bode of Walker won the fourth-place prize, a six-person tent donated by Reeds Family Outdoor Outfitters. Fifth and sixth prizes were single-rider pull-behind tubes, donated by Marine Max. Those lucky winners, both from Walker, were Willard Arends and Tony Sauer.