Saturday’s Forecast Is for Showers of Fishing Bobbers

The Great Grand Bobber Will Release 6,300 Bobbers Over Grand Lake

Another “Grand” tradition takes place this Saturday, July 22, and the forecast is for showers — showers of bobbers that is.

Starting at 8 a.m., fishing bobbers will rain down all over the north end of Grand Lake as the eighth annual Great Grand Bobber Drop gets under way.

Thousands of spectators are expected to be waiting in boats below as Grand Lake Sports Center owner Sam Williams drops 6,300 bobbers from an airplane flying over Grand Lake.

As soon as the numbered bobbers hit the water, boaters and others will rush to collect the red/white and orange/yellow bobbers, many of which are redeemable for prizes donated by area businesses.

Thousands of Spectators

A promotional event of the Grand Lake Sports Center, the Great Grand Bobber Drop is the sports center’s way of giving back to the community for the support it receives throughout the year.

Williams says that “it’s all for fun and about bringing families together.”

The Great Grand Bobber Drop attracts thousands of spectators every year. And, this year should be no exception.

According to Williams, people from all over the country, including Kansas, Missouri, Florida, California, Minnesota and Colorado, have been calling to say they are coming for the event.

The Flight Path

Hayes Sky Signs will be flying Williams as he drops the thousands of bobbers into Grand Lake. Bobbers will start dropping at 8 a.m. sharp as the plane and Williams approach the Honey Creek bridge.

The flight path continues along Honey Creek, around Shangri-La Resort and Monkey Island, then up past Bernice to Nowhere Bridge in Horse Creek, back down over Monkey Island to follow Grand Lake up past Sailboat Bridge to the Elk River Bridge.

They’ll make two passes, scattering bobbers all over Grand Lake, so there’s no need to cluster around bridges. Williams advises everyone to spread out and be careful on the water as they hunt for the bobbers.

Everyone is encouraged to be safe, courteous of others and to wear a lifejacket.

Find a Bobber, Win a Prize

Once you find a bobber, bring it to one of the official claims sites to see if you’re a winner.

Numbers on the bobber are checked against a spreadsheet of prizes whose numbers correspond with the numbers on the bobbers, all of which are pre-set.

If you’re still holding on to a bobber from last year, it won’t be a winner. Each year, numbers on any unreturned bobbers are retired, so bobbers from past bobber drops aren’t eligible.

You have eight days to find bobbers and return them to the official checkpoints. And, you can only return two bobbers per person per day.

Hundreds of prizes have been donated by Grand Lake area merchants and restaurants. According to Williams, there are more prizes to be awarded this year than ever before. Those prizes include several guided fishing trips, resort weekends, Chamber bucks, gift certificates and lots of food certificates.

All redeemed bobbers are also eligible to win the grand prize: $2,500 cash. Names will be drawn for the grand prize as well as any unclaimed prizes at the end of the eight days on Sunday, July 30.

The Grand Lake Sports Center, in downtown Grove at 301 South Main St., will be checking in bobbers during regular business hours, while the Grand Lake Casino, at 24701 South 655 Road, will only be accepting bobbers on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Grand Lake Sports Center opens at 7:15 a.m. each morning and closes at 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 4 p.m. Sunday.

To get in on all the fun, find yourself a safe spot on Grand Lake this Saturday morning and wait for the bobbers to start raining down!