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**Bassmaster Elite Series and Orange County River Festival Set to Draw Huge Crowds to Orange**

**ORANGE, TX** – The Sabine River in Orange is gearing up for a major weekend of fishing and festivities, as the Bassmaster Elite Series returns May 15-18. Hosted by the City of Orange, this marks the seventh pro-level tournament held in the city, with the 2023 event setting an attendance record of over 42,000 people.

Hundreds of professional anglers will compete for a total purse of $455,250, including a $100,000 prize for the winner. Among them is defending champion Brock Mosley, who won the 2023 tournament with a total weight of 44.3 pounds.

The tournament waters encompass the Sabine River and its tributaries across seven Texas counties, giving anglers a vast area to explore. While the Sabine’s fish size may not rival other renowned fishing destinations, anglers are hopeful to catch big bass. Angler Caleb Sumrall explains that while there is no shortage of bass, the challenge will be finding a quality catch amongst the quantity.

Daily takeoffs from the City of Orange Boat Ramp (408 Pier Rd.) are scheduled for 6:30 a.m., with weigh-ins back at the ramp at 2:30 p.m.

Adding to the excitement, the tournament coincides with the Orange County River Festival, a free event at the Riverfront Pavilion featuring live music, a carnival, a kids’ fishtank, and food vendors. Gates open at 2 p.m. on Thursday and 11 a.m. on Friday-Sunday.

The music lineup includes Louisiana party band Boomerang (Thursday), Britt Godwin (Friday), the Josh Abbott Band (Friday), Cole Whittlesey (Saturday), and headliner Casey Donahew (Saturday).

The Josh Abbott Band, known for hits like “She’s Like Texas” and “Oh, Tonight,” brings their signature Texas country sound to the festival. Casey Donahew, a North Texas native with over two decades in the music industry, is sure to entertain with his popular tunes like “Kiss Me” and “Country Song.”

For more information on the event, visit orangetexaschamber.org.

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