The 'Big Tent' is set up for the 34th Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular, which runs Aug. 26 to Sept. 4. (submitted photo)

It’s fishing derby time in Owen Sound.

Thousands of anglers are set to hit the waters of Georgian Bay for the 34th annual Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular, which gets underway at midnight tonight and continues until Sept. 4.

Derby co-chair Chris Geberdt says the ‘Big Tent’ is all set up off Grey Road 1 at Georgian Shores Marina. It will be home to daily entertainment and meals throughout the derby, and acts as the official weigh-station where anglers will check if their catches will crack the leaderboards and a piece of the more than $150,000 worth of prizes up for grabs.

There are major boat prizes for the heaviest salmon, rainbow trout and lake trout caught during the derby. Every person who buys a derby ticket will also be entered into a boat draw this year. There is also a separate prize for the largest brown trout, random draws throughout the event, and daily winners for the heaviest salmon and trout reeled in.

Geberdt expects more than 4,000 people will enter the Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular this year.

“We’re back. We’re going to have fun. And it’s time to put Covid behind us and enjoy this year’s event,” Geberdt says.

Derby tickets are available online at sydenhamsportsmen.com or on site starting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the registration booth near the Big Tent.

The weigh station is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The Big Tent will also close at 10 p.m. each night. It’s free to access until 6 p.m., and there is a $5 cover charge after that each evening.

Bayshore Broadcasting will be following the progress of the Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular with regular updates on the Bumstead Insurance, Financial and Employee Benefits Leaderboard.