 Well, now that the International Eelpout Festival has decided to remain in Walker, organizers are starting to plan the event. Josh Peterson sat down with the event organizer and shares with us how the Eelpout Festival hopes to evolve. With the brisk winter wind and the first layer of ice starting to form on Leech Lake, people around Walker are starting to think Eelpout Festival. However, the town of Walker almost lost their winter festival to Bemidji, but due to a tight timeline and after much discussion, Eelpout will remain where it all began. Between the different permits and everything needed in between the two places, I mean you're looking at a December decision, either side and possibly with the city referendum in Bemidji, it could be into January. With an event in February that doesn't leave any time for planning. One of the factors that kept the Eelpout Festival in Walker was a new established partnership with Area Resorts and Hotels. So Leisure Hotels and Resorts is going to be coming on more as an organizational piece to help with some people because usually it's just me out there running around on the ice. When it was announced that the festival would stay in Walker, many businesses and community members breath a sigh of relief. At Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, they are excited to move forward. We're just excited to work with Jared and his crew there that we can figure what's going to work out best for him and for our community and make it a success all the way around. While the 2018 Eelpout Festival may have the same feel, it hopes to incorporate new activities and more community involvement. Possible plans for Eelpout include adding hockey to the list of activities, but the first step for organizers will be a meeting made up of community members to discuss the future and function of the entire festival. I'm excited for a meeting that I'm planning with all the business owners, the hotels, everybody around here to get their feedback on how they feel about the festival and what they'd like to see in the future. With an early ice already forming on the lake, Eelpout organizers are looking forward to another successful event. In Walker, Josh Peterson, Lakeland News. The 38th annual International Eelpout Festival will be held February 22nd through the 25th. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.