Fishing Derby brings families and community closer together

Since Maricopa was incorporated in 2003, the city has undergone a growth boom unlike anything ever seen before. Housing communities pop up like weeds overnight, it oftentimes seems, and the traffic most mornings, lunchtimes and evenings can be likened to any city rush hour.

But despite hypergrowth, Maricopa has managed to maintain a “small town feel,” which city officials find important – and essential – to a successful city. In fact, the city’s Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department, headed by Director Marty McDonald, bears the motto of “Creating community through people, parks and programs.” Uniting community and families is one of City Hall’s most treasured goals and last week’s Fishing Derby on September 24 was one step of many that officials have taken to keep Maricopa’s extended community a close one.

Paul Leland and his mother battle a mini-Moby Dick before releasing it back into the lake.

Mayor Kelly Anderson and son Ian admire the first catch of the day.

The derby was originally thought up last year by councilmen, and family men, Stephen Baker and Kelly Haddad. “We realize it’s going to be a big city, but our goal is to have a small town feel – and I think with events like the fishing derby, we can continue to keep that small town feel,” Haddad commented. “It becomes increasingly more difficult to do so. It was an attempt to create an event that would bring people out. And more importantly, not just bring them out individually, but bring them out as a family. So events like this are what makes that possible and I think it was just a great success. That was due to every aspect of it from its inception to the hard work and dedication of the PRL department, and more importantly, all the community members that signed up and took part.”

A mother helps her daughter learn the art of reeling and casting.

After a hard day of fishing, families sat down for a picnic-style lunch in the park.

A father and daughter team get ready to cast off.

This year’s Derby marked its second annual event within the city limits, and the opening of 18-acre Pacana Park, Maricopa’s first public park. Over 500 people came out for the Sunday morning festivities, and 170 children aged 5-13 took part in the tournament. Maricopa Black Belt Academy helped sponsor the event, and had a booth set up where kids could kick their way to candy by breaking collapsible boards.

Anthony Lumactod gives a kick as Karate instructor Mark Gilbride of Maricopa Black Belt Academy holds the board.

Every child that was signed up for the derby, whether they caught a fish or not, received a gold participation medal donated by Councilman Kelly Haddad. Councilman Baker was also a Diamond Sponsor, donating 170 tackle boxes, which contained fishing lures, bait, weights and bobbers to compliment the rods and reels donated by Fry’s Marketplace.

Fry’s also hosted a free BBQ lunch, serving over 600 hot dogs, bags of chips and cookies and an array of cold beverages.

Besides walking away with a full stomach, 65 children left the event with a raffle prize either for themselves or their parents. Prizes ranged from bikes and sports equipment to underwater scooters, remote controlled cars, BBQ grills, outdoor fireplaces, and gift certificates – all of which were donated by Diamond Sponsor Orbitel Communications.

“I think we did our best in spoiling as many kids as we could that day,” Baker said. “As a Councilman, resident and father, I am proud of our city today,” he added. “The opening of Pacana Park and this event are two major milestones in the short history of our city. I’d like to personally thank our sponsors for making this year’s event a huge success. I can’t wait to see more events at Pacana Park.”

Nine-year-old Lucy Baker won third place in the tournament for most fish caught after having accrued and thrown back three fish. Nine-year-old Tyler Driz got second place for five fish, and five-year-old Ethan Moore won first place for six fish.

Bearing their medals and big smiles, Ethan Moore (left), Tyler Driz, and Lucy Baker were winners for catching the most fish during the morning derby

Councilman Haddad gives out participation award medals to participants.

Seven-year-old Wyatt Haardt stands beside his raffle prize.

Raffle winners included:
Chance Burback- Football
Ryan Joyce- Football
Clint Potter- Football
Lance Martinez- Football
Michael Koleber- Football
Matt Baker- Football
Mikyle Madrid- Soccer ball
Ashley Briecken- Soccer ball
Haley Petershim- Soccer ball
Myra Martinez- Soccer ball
Ashley Arnold- Soccer ball
Brian Rosati- Soccer ball
Isabel Potter- Soccer ball
Phil Aguayo- Soccer ball
Jackson Anderson- Bike
Luke Spencer- Bike
Courtney Burback- Bike
Kameron Cox- Bike
Devan Joyce- Bike
Jerad Lansburg- Bike
Anton Pollchek- Bike
Issah Avilla- Bike
Noah Fortin- Bike
Jacob Cruiz- Bike
Paul Leland- Waive Rider
Rebeckah Luxton- Wave Rider
Angel Spires- Under Water Cruiser
Isabel Potter- Under Water Cruiser
Cameron Deiulio- Under Water Cruiser
Koby Charles- Under Water Cruiser
Corey Brown- Nerf Kit
Megan Cecil- Nerf Kit
Jake Bergen- Nerf Kit
Alex Bergen- Nerf Kit
Anton Polacek- Nerf Kit
Payton Kasper- Nerf Kit
Haley Petershiem- Nerf Kit
Wyatt Haardt- Outdoor Fireplace
Noah Morris- Outdoor Fireplace
Rosa Vega- Outdoor Fireplace
Cameron Cox- Remote Control Car
Esteban Vega- Remote Control Car
Lee Arco- Remote Control Car
Don Bergen- Remote Control Car
Katlin Foulkrld- Remote Control Car
Sloan Archo- Remote Control Car
Callie Charles- Remote Control Car
Henry Salinas- BBQ Grill
Dylan Foster- BBQ Grill
Mark Brown- BBQ Grill
Erica Tuer- BBQ Grill and $75.00 Gift Certificate to Fry’s
Earlean Howard- Pest Control Gift Certificate
Jenifer Knight- Pest Control Gift Certificate
Christine Bandin- Gift Card to Fry’s
Mekenah Mattlingly- Gift Card to Fry’s
Broden Lay- Gift Card to Fry’s
Frankie Bandin- Gift Card to Fry’s
Shelby Warren- Autographed Picture of Steve Nash
Allissa Soliz- Autographed Phoenix Suns Jersey of Amare Stoudamire