Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce: Receives Travel Wisconsin grant for Trails to Trout Fishing Tournament

Sparta , WI (July 27, 2021): The Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce has received a Joint Effort Marketing Grant from Travel Wisconsin. The campaign ramps up to the first Trails to Trout Fishing Tournament, a 12 week campaign from July 19th, 2021 through October 10th, 2021.  The campaign will cross promote through multiple platforms, continually directing traffic back to bikesparta.us and the Facebook event page that will offer visitors all the information they may need to participate in the Tournament or plan a trip to the area, including lodging, dining, and other activities within the Sparta area.

The catch, photo, and release, Trails to Trout Fishing Tournament is a 9 day fishing (two weekend) event that promotes the biking and trout fishing activities available in Sparta, Wisconsin encouraging bicycling to and fishing in area streams. The event celebrates the fall spawning season of trout and the last chance to get out to the cold water streams found throughout Wisconsin’s bicycling capital, Sparta, home of the first Rails to Trails project. The event would aim to increase visitation by the target audience of experiential travelers, bicyclists, fishermen, and families who enjoy both fishing and bicycling activities.

“The funding from Travel Wisconsin’s JEM program is vital in maintaining a spotlight on the Sparta area, including its trout fishing streams, the Trails to Trout Fishing Tournament will showcase our natural resources while revisiting one of our most showcased activities, biking while pairing it with fishing” stated Heidi Prestwood Executive Director of theSparta Area Chamber of Commerce.

Visitors may download and sign up for the FishDonkey app and make plans to visit Sparta, WI to fish October 2nd through October 10th, 2021 for a chance to win aWyatt Maverick Bicycle retrofitted specifically for those who wish to explore bike fishing (value $3,000), this an all-terrain fat bike was designed and manufactured in Bangor, WI providing an unrivaled ride comfort and handling via its unique frame design, oversized tires, hydraulic brakes, and front inverted suspension. Winner announced October 12, 2021.

What:  Trails to Trout Fishing Tournament

When:  October 2-10, 2021 | Sparta, WI 

Where: Trout streams within a 5-mile radius of downtown Sparta, WI

Cost: $20 Entry Fee |FishDonkey App 

About the Campaign 

There are 36.9 miles of trout streams within a 5-mile radius of downtown Sparta!  That’s a lot of opportunities to find your perfect spot away from the crowds.

Sparta Wisconsin offers a wealth of outdoor activities that will be the primary focus of this event.  Centrally located on the Bike4Trails system, Sparta is connected to 101 miles of interconnected Rails to Trails biking.  Located within the Driftless Region of Wisconsin, Sparta has the rolling hills the Driftless is known for, and that road bicyclists enthusiastically travel.  

This new event will benefit the many attractions, shops, and eateries that are located in Sparta, Wisconsin. Many who, like much of the small businesses in the State, have suffered through a difficult time during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Offering this new event will aid in breathing life into struggling businesses.

About Sparta Chamber of Commerce

The Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce’s mission statement is “Welcoming Businesses, Unifying the Community, Creating Possibilities.” With this statement in mind, we strive to foster a relationship between businesses and the Sparta Area Community through events, promotions, and awareness. https://www.bikesparta.us