MORGAN — Tenth Anniversary hoodies are off the press and tournament coordinators have flown into Vermont from three states, as the approaching Eli Goss Memorial Ice Fishing Tournament is set to kick off tomorrow.
The 2020 Tournament will be held Friday, February 28 through Sunday, March 1, on Seymour Lake, Echo Lake, and Lake Memphremagog.
Registration will be at the Public Fishing Access in Morgan.
Fishing begins at 7:33 a.m. Friday and ends at 1:33 p.m. Sunday.
Complimentary hot food will be served at the registration shack on Lake Seymour and closing ceremonies, tournament games, silent auction, and raffles will be at 2:33 p.m. on Sunday.
A $15 donation to the Eli Goss Memorial Scholarship Fund will get you into the competition with a chance to win a custom-designed ice shack donated and built by Limlaw Family and Friends.
Additional tickets will be sold at the registration area.
Awards include cash prizes for first place, along with Eli Trophy Bomber Hats and prizes donated by local businesses for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place fish from each Lake.
There will be separate categories and prizes for youth and pike.
A raffle and silent auction will also be held with all proceeds going directly to student scholarships.
The Eli Scholarship Fund is also collecting bottles and cans for their annual bottle drive.
Non-fishing supporters are welcome to attend award ceremonies, raffle, silent auction, and family games on Sunday, and a complimentary lunch will be served.
Community support has never wained for this event over the years, and 2020 is seeing even greater support from local businesses and families as several loyal sponsors have chosen to upgrade their sponsorship levels, donating even more funds and prizes to the event.
“We are so thrilled that the Eli Tournament has made it 10 years,” Stephanie Goss, who helps the committee organize the event said. “Many memorial events lose their momentum after a few years because it takes a lot of time and financial commitment. We are grateful that the community has really embraced this fundraising event and this has allowed us to continue to grow every year.”
Organizers say they expect a record turnout for the 10th Anniversary Edition of the Eli Goss Memorial Tournament as they have already seen early inquiries from several states and unprecedented pre-orders for tournament hoodies.
In 2019 The Eli Fund awarded eleven scholarships to students graduating from UCA and NCUHS based on schoolwork, sports and community involvement.
The Eli Mission is to expand scholarship opportunities to include students who did the work while balancing academics, sports, jobs, friends, and family.
Since 2011, the Eli fund has awarded 59 scholarships, totaling over $36,350.00 to graduates of UCA and NCUHS.
With any donation of $40.00 or more, you can receive your own Eli Goss Memorial Ice Fishing Tournament Hoodie.
Visit www.EliGossMemorialFund.com and www.Facebook.com/EliGossIceFishing for more information and live updates.
