By Dawn Burleigh

The Orange Leader

 

Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce presents the Backwater Challenge in August.

Golden Triangle Tournament Association announced the launch of their Backwater Tournament Challenge for 2019 set for August 9 and 10 at the City of Orange Boat Ramp. Proceeds from the event will benefit local Children’s Charities of Southeast Texas.

The chamber will host the River Festival during the tournament ensuring there will be something for everyone to enjoy during the event. 

The festival will be open from 4 p.m. – 11 p.m. on Friday, August 9 and from Noon – 10 p.m. on August 10.

New Orleans Bag of Donuts will perform from 8 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. on Friday. The free concert is sponsored by Rambo Outdoors.

Saturday from 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Eric Paslay will perform. The concert is sponsored by Invista.

With a flair for kabuki make-up and extravagant costumes, the four New Orleans natives cover songs in a style they have branded as Superpop: Any song popular from any era. In the great tradition of stunning acts, Bag of Donuts has to be experienced live to fully feel the impact, according to their official website. 

Eric Paslay, delivers a powerful punch as a renowned, Platinum-selling, hit songwriter and dynamic performer. Paslay has celebrated five No. 1 hits including “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” (Eli Young Band), “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (Jake Owen), “Angel Eyes” (Love & Theft), “Rewind” (Rascal Flatts) and “Friday Night,” the smash lead single from his critically acclaimed self-titled debut album. The Temple, Texas native is a recent GRAMMY nominee (first as a recording artist) in the Best Country Duo/Group category for “The Driver,” performed by Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley, featuring Eric and Dierks Bentley, according to his official website.

Backwater Challenge weigh in will be at 3 p.m. Saturday with prizes for Bass, Redfish, a Big Bass payout, a Big Redfish payout and cash prizes for the top 20 anglers.

Each team must consist of a max of two anglers. Tournament fishing is limited to public waters.

Tournament is a two Redfish max. stringer and/or three Bass max. stringer event with a guaranteed payout for 1st place for each stringer category. Optional side pots are available for Heaviest Redfish and Heaviest Bass.

High School Team may enter the Tournament with an adult boat captain 18 yrs. old or older, if both anglers are under the age of 18. Boat Captain shall be supplied by the Team. The boat captain will not be able to fish, but can assist the anglers with culling and netting only, according to the rules.

Boats will be released at Safe Light by Flight Number from the Orange Public Ramp.

To register for the event, visit https://gttallc.com/details/