The Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament returns to Toledo Bend February 22-25, 2024 at Cypress Bend Park. The nation’s top pros will open their 2024 season on one of the best bass lakes in the nation, as named in Bassmaster Magazine. 103 pro anglers will fish on Thursday and Friday, then the field is cut to 50 pros on Saturday followed by the top 10 competing on Sunday. Fans can watch the boats launch live daily from Cypress Bend Park at 7am. The Sabine Parish Tourist Commission has partnered with the Louisiana Office of Tourism, Desoto Parish Tourism Commission, and Vernon Parish Tourism to bring a 2-day festival Cypress Bend Park in conjunction with the tournament.
B.A.S.S. on the ‘Bend Festival takes place February 24 and 25 from 11am until 5pm at Cypress Bend Park. The two-day schedule of free events is jam-packed with fun and something for everyone to enjoy. Children can explore their own ‘Kids’ Corner’ where activities like a fishing tank, balloon animals, crafts, face painting and more are available. Other festival attendees will enjoy shopping at the B.A.S.S. national sponsors’ vendor booths as well as the local vendors. A sundry of food trucks will be on site, all local to the Toledo Bend Lake Country region, offering a range of food from BBQ to shrimp po’boys to cracklins!
Saturday, February 24 is a tasty opening to the festival weekend with a ‘Taste of Toledo Bend’ expo from 11am-12pm where attendees will have the chance to sample Zwolle Tamales and Frye Bread, courtesy of Bub T’s Tamale House and the Choctaw Apache Tribe of Ebarb. Their booths will contain information, displays, regalia, and more surrounding the Spanish and Indian culture in Sabine Parish, aiming to give visitors a better understanding of our rich heritage in Toledo Bend Lake Country.
It would not be a Louisiana festival without great music. There is no one better than the Grammy Award-Winning, Louisiana Legend, Wayne Toups to celebrate our Louisiana culture and zydeco music. He will perform in a free concert that Saturday starting around 2pm. Ahead of Wayne Toups, kicking off with entertainment at 12pm will be local musician Derrick McLendon bringing his own acoustic talent to Toledo Bend. Following the live music performances, fans can get ready for the Semifinal weigh-in on the B.A.S.S. stage at 3pm. Based on the weights of those 50 anglers, the top 10 will advance to the championship on Sunday.
Fishing fans will not want to miss Championship Sunday, and neither will Country music fans. The festivities continue through Sunday, with live performances from popular Country artists Spencer Brunson and Joey Greer. Spencer kicks off the entertainment at 11:30am, followed by the 90’s Country sound of Joey Greer at 1pm. After these performances, the winner of the first Elite Series tournament of the season will be named at the final weigh-in beginning at 3pm.
The Sabine River Authority is making access to the park all four days of the tournament and its events free to the public. Find out more about the B.A.S.S. on the ‘Bend Festival and the Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament on Toledo Bend Reservoir at www.ToledoBendLake-Country.com/BassElite or by contacting the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission at 318-256-5880.