The Perch Festival is returning to Orillia.
The Orillia District Chamber of Commerce (ODCC) is reviving the event with a new and exciting twist.
The Perch Festival has long been synonymous with the official start of spring in Orillia, when the ice retreats from local lakes and longer, warmer days return. For four decades, anglers from near and far have eagerly flocked to the shores of Lakes Couchiching and Simcoe to take part in the family-friendly fishing derby where anyone can “just fish to win.”
2023 registration is now open and more prizes are being confirmed each day.
There are already two $1000 tagged perch available, along with several $500 tags.
Prizes also include a canoe, fishing gear, local shopping sprees courtesy of Trombly’s and Downtown Orillia, and, of course, the grand prize of a Lund fishing boat.
More information about prizes and sponsors, and the registration link, can be found at https://www.orillia.com/perchfestival.
Participants can also register through the MyCatch app, which is available for free download from Google Play or Apple App Store.
New this year, the Orillia Perch Festival will incorporate a theme of “Plaid, Perch, and Pancakes.” This will provide an avenue to broaden the festival to appeal to a wider range of visitor interests and tastes.
“Eventually, we’d like to work with local municipalities, Chippewas of Rama First Nation, and local and regional destination promotion organizations to expand the Perch Festival to include a variety of local
spring experiences,” says Allan Lafontaine, Executive Director of the ODCC. “Looking to 2024 and beyond, we’re exploring ideas for content that build on an outdoor, rustic theme, for example, adding a
lumberjack element.”
While the ODCC has started early conversations with its community partners about the potential for programming to take place in locations throughout Orillia and Lake Country during future Perch Festivals, for this year the concept is being kept fairly simple: wear plaid, fill up with a hearty breakfast of pancakes topped with some local maple syrup, and get out and enjoy spring activities in Orillia and Lake Country. While the derby is still at the core of the event, the message going forward for tourists is that you don’t have to be a fisherperson to have fun at the Orillia Perch Festival.
Local businesses are being encouraged to get involved by offering Plaid, Perch, and Pancake- related experiences and products during the festival. With the event kicking off shortly after maple season, there are plenty of ways to tie in to the pancake theme. Incorporating plaid and perch can be as simple as decorating or having staff dress up, although businesses are encouraged to get creative and take ownership of the theme. For example, Couchiching Craft Brewing Co. is preparing a Perch- branded beer.
“We’re thrilled to be able run the Perch Festival this spring” says ODCC Events Coordinator Doug Bunker, “and we’re excited to be able to resume some of the traditional aspects of the event while adding new ideas. We will be bringing back tagged fish and opening and closing ceremonies, while also continuing to use the app.”
Bunker adds that volunteers are needed to help out with the festival, and anyone wanting to sign up should go to www.orillia.com/volunteers.