 The International Eel Pot Festival will remain in Walker this winter. Organizers announced this afternoon that the festival will take place February 22nd through the 25th in Walker Bay. Organizers had been considering alternative sites, including Bemidji, but a proposal by Chase on the Lake Resort in Walker helped keep the festival in the same city it has been for the past 38 years. The arrangement leverages the expertise of the resort's third-party service provider Leisure Hotels and Resorts to further improve operational management, planning, personnel and daily facilitation of the event. Leisure Hotels and Resorts will provide additional staff, operational strategies and resources for the festival. Officials say they will also continue to execute and grow the many other proactive improvements established over the past few years while attempting to create a new standard for how the festival is run. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.