Cheers to 50 years!

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During the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe in Pierre, South Dakota, Black Velvet Whisky gave free tastes to folks 21 and older. Bassmaster is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year so we asked each fan, “What are you celebrating today?” You'll find their answers in the following photos and captions.
During the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe in Pierre, South Dakota, Black Velvet Whisky gave free tastes to folks 21 and older. Bassmaster is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year so we asked each fan, “What are you celebrating today?” You’ll find their answers in the following photos and captions.
As soon as the Black Velvet tent opened, fishing fans immediately began drifting in.
As soon as the Black Velvet tent opened, fishing fans immediately began drifting in.
Most came in to sample the product and toast the Elite anglers making their first visit to South Dakota.
Most came in to sample the product and toast the Elite anglers making their first visit to South Dakota.
Many were excited to try one of the drinks concocted specifically for the Elite Series: the Largemouth (Black Velvet, cola and a lime wedge) and the Smallmouth (Black Velvet and ginger ale).
Many were excited to try one of the drinks concocted specifically for the Elite Series: the Largemouth (Black Velvet, cola and a lime wedge) and the Smallmouth (Black Velvet and ginger ale).
<B>Anna and Brandon McCarthy, Pierre, S.D.</B><BR><BR> What are you celebrating?<BR> “Each other, and Brandon’s new job—in risk management for the state of South Dakota.”
Anna and Brandon McCarthy, Pierre, S.D.
What are you celebrating?
“Each other, and Brandon’s new job—in risk management for the state of South Dakota.”
<B>Matti Kuykendall and Geoff Osterman, Fort Pierre, S.D.</B><BR><BR> What are you celebrating?<BR> “Summertime”
Matti Kuykendall and Geoff Osterman, Fort Pierre, S.D.
What are you celebrating?
“Summertime”
<B> Jeff Rheborg, Pierre, S.D. </B><BR><BR> What are you celebrating?<BR> “Another fantastic day on Lake Oahe.” Rheborg is a fishing guide on Oahe and spends 40 to 50 days a year on the lake.
Jeff Rheborg, Pierre, S.D.
What are you celebrating?
“Another fantastic day on Lake Oahe.” Rheborg is a fishing guide on Oahe and spends 40 to 50 days a year on the lake.
<B> (L to R) Russ Somsen, Steve Moss, Chad Schooley, from Pierre, Watertown and Caselwood, S.D. respectively </B><BR><BR> What are you celebrating?<BR> “Life. We’re big fishermen. We’ll be going fishing later today.”
(L to R) Russ Somsen, Steve Moss, Chad Schooley, from Pierre, Watertown and Caselwood, S.D. respectively
What are you celebrating?
“Life. We’re big fishermen. We’ll be going fishing later today.”
<B>Jeremy Fischer, Sioux Falls, S.D. </B><BR><BR> What are you celebrating?<BR> “Bassmaster. I booked this big time as soon as it was announced.”
Jeremy Fischer, Sioux Falls, S.D.
What are you celebrating?
“Bassmaster. I booked this big time as soon as it was announced.”
<B>Geli and Clint Alumbaugh, Pierre, S.D. </B><BR><BR> What are you celebrating?<BR> “Hunting and fishing as a family. We came down here to support the guys. We chose bass over walleye, which is rare here.”
Geli and Clint Alumbaugh, Pierre, S.D.
What are you celebrating?
“Hunting and fishing as a family. We came down here to support the guys. We chose bass over walleye, which is rare here.”
<B> Johnathan Stien, Pierre, S.D. </B><BR><BR> What are you celebrating?<BR> “Not being at work, and enjoying a very beautiful day.”
Johnathan Stien, Pierre, S.D.
What are you celebrating?
“Not being at work, and enjoying a very beautiful day.”
<B>Lacie and Jon Herman, Pierre, S.D. </B><BR><BR> What are you celebrating?<BR> “Having something this big in our small town. We’re excited somebody else is out celebrating Lake Oahe like we are.”
Lacie and Jon Herman, Pierre, S.D.
What are you celebrating?
“Having something this big in our small town. We’re excited somebody else is out celebrating Lake Oahe like we are.”
<B>Josh Bakker, Onida, S.D. </B><BR><BR> What are you celebrating?<BR> “Just enjoying the day. Came down to see what the boys are catching up north, fishing like I do nearly every day.”
Josh Bakker, Onida, S.D.
What are you celebrating?
“Just enjoying the day. Came down to see what the boys are catching up north, fishing like I do nearly every day.”
<B> Jeremy Good and Jared Pontee, Watertown, S.D. </B><BR><BR> What are you celebrating?<BR> “We were out fishing and came here to check out the Bassmasters. When KVD is your hero growing up, you come down to see him when he’s nearby.”
Jeremy Good and Jared Pontee, Watertown, S.D.
What are you celebrating?
“We were out fishing and came here to check out the Bassmasters. When KVD is your hero growing up, you come down to see him when he’s nearby.”
<B>Drew Bakken, Conner Frasen, Watertown, S.D.</B><BR><BR> What are you celebrating?<BR> “We have a cabin in West Whitlock, and saw some of the pros fishing there. We wanted to come down and see how they did.”
Drew Bakken, Conner Frasen, Watertown, S.D.
What are you celebrating?
“We have a cabin in West Whitlock, and saw some of the pros fishing there. We wanted to come down and see how they did.”
<B>Dakota Feely and Kenzie Burton, Oklahoma and Illinois </B><BR><BR> What are you celebrating?<BR> Kenzie: “Freakin’ life man. That’s what I try to do every day. It’s a beautiful day to do it.” Both are in South Dakota working at a nearby ethanol plant.
Dakota Feely and Kenzie Burton, Oklahoma and Illinois
What are you celebrating?
Kenzie: “Freakin’ life man. That’s what I try to do every day. It’s a beautiful day to do it.” Both are in South Dakota working at a nearby ethanol plant.
<B>Sierra Johnson, Dave Petersen, Cole Johnson, Pierre, S.D.</B><BR><BR> What are you celebrating?<BR> “Good weather!”
Sierra Johnson, Dave Petersen, Cole Johnson, Pierre, S.D.
What are you celebrating?
“Good weather!”
<B>Kevin and Michell Griese, Pierre, S.D.</B><BR><BR> What are you celebrating?<BR> “The nice weather today. We want to see how they are catching em after the storm last night.”
Kevin and Michell Griese, Pierre, S.D.
What are you celebrating?
“The nice weather today. We want to see how they are catching em after the storm last night.”
<B>Forrest Zuber, Pierre, S.D. </B><BR><BR> What are you celebrating?<BR> “Freedom”
Forrest Zuber, Pierre, S.D.
What are you celebrating?
“Freedom”
<B> Katrina Carter, Long Beach, Calif. </B><BR><BR> What are you celebrating?<BR> “Supporting my family in fishing.”
Katrina Carter, Long Beach, Calif.
What are you celebrating?
“Supporting my family in fishing.”
<B>Karisa Buchholtz, Cody O’Diel, Rapid City, S.D. </B><BR><BR> What are you celebrating?<BR> “Summer!”
Karisa Buchholtz, Cody O’Diel, Rapid City, S.D.
What are you celebrating?
“Summer!”
And after fans had tasted Black Velvet Whisky they drifted outside the tent to play a special version of cornhole, or bean bag toss, made for Bassmaster tournaments.
And after fans had tasted Black Velvet Whisky they drifted outside the tent to play a special version of cornhole, or bean bag toss, made for Bassmaster tournaments.
Black Velvet, Bassmaster and cornhole go very well together!
Black Velvet, Bassmaster and cornhole go very well together!