04/22/2026
This was a tough post to write, mostly because it’s hard to put into words how grateful we are to our sponsors and to everyone who showed up. It was a wet year, but we’re thankful to the great fisherman above for the few beautiful days we did get.
Kids Day was incredible. We honestly didn’t expect that many kids! We’ll need more Easter eggs next year — sorry to our egg packers. Handing out fishing poles and toys got a little chaotic, so we’ll have a better plan next time 😅 Still, it was a fantastic day.
As sucker season wraps up, we want to thank our sponsors, volunteers, and everyone who donated for the kids. Huge thanks to Northwoods Wholesale Outlet, Gioannini Well Drilling, Pier 23, Freakin’ Pickles, and D’s Trees Without you, there’s no tournament. If you can, thank these businesses, send people their way, or leave them a good review, then please do. Show them some love, they deserve it!
To our hoodie sponsors: What a good-looking group of businesses. Thank you for coming together to support the tradition of Suckerfest. You keep the flow going, the fun happening, and the funds to make this possible.
To our volunteers and donors: you proved what a small, dedicated group can do. You handled the work nobody sees. Our egg-packing crew spent months stuffing thousands of eggs on weekends, and they were gone in under 10 minutes 😆 Totally worth it.
To the family and friends who donated so much candy and most of the toys: your generosity made so many kids’ days.
To the businesses that donated fishing poles: there was zero competition, just a shared goal to get kids hooked on fishing and excited about the outdoors. You didn’t just earn future customers — you made future fishermen. Those kids left with big smiles and great memories.
The day after the tournament, we got hit with flood waters we have not seen in many years. Everyone was safe and all campers got out, but the grounds, some homes downriver, and a few roads and driveways took damage. It was a reminder of how wild Michigan weather can be. We’re just grateful everyone was safe and that we still got to have Suckerfest ❤️
To everyone who participated, volunteered, sponsored, or donated: we at Suckerfest humbly thank you. See y’all next year! Stay fishing and stay safe!
Northwoods Wholesale Outlet
Gioannini Well Drilling
Pier 23 Convenience Store, Shell Gas Station & Subway Restaurant
Freakin’ Pickles
D's Trees
Freedom Gun & Ammo
Arenac Public Transit Authority
Arenac Realty Co., Pete Stanley & Associates
Frank's Great Outdoors
Idzior Furniture
Uplift Creative Center
A1 Bounce House Rentals
Fishin WithThe Griffins
Li'l Willie's Sewer/Septic Tank Cleaning
Ouillette Dumpsters
Sunrise Market Augres Pharmacy
T.K & Son Ice Recovery
Eastwind Spray Foam
Jeff’s Auto Doc LLC
Sequin Lumber Co.
The Paddling Pig
Jays Sporting Goods
Bass Pro Shops
Birch Run Speedway & Event Center
Eva Patricia DeSimpelaere
Heather Linton-Strawn
Todd Strawn
Heather View
Cassidy Linton
Bill View
Kay G
Rob Nacu
Jennifer Lynn
Paula Schanck Barcia
Mike Hampton
Tasha Aikens
Aaron Metiva
Theo Miller
Hailey McConnell
Stacey Hughson
Nicole Cousineau-Wells
Wesley Jones
Laura Durham
Amanda Duby
Mike Sills
Steven Clark
Jenny Sherwood
The Michigan Outdoorsman
Daniel Staggs
Dusty Ballard
Renee Belden
Charles Mullen
Michael Gonzalez
Merlo Mac
Aaron on the Keys
Steven Jacob Lull
The Official City of Omer Facebook group
