Fishing Derby participants win awards and prizes

Over 350 people, including kids, parents and grandparents, were in attendance at the first annual Parent-Child Fishing Derby on July 4 at Province Lake. The event brought new and old residents together for a day of fun, fishing and prizes.

One of the fishing highlights was Scarlett Wagner‘s catch, a 21-inch, five-pound catfish. Anton Polacek caught four fish, the largest number for the day, and captured a first place trophy in his age group. Anthony Lumactod hooked the day’s first fish while Alex Bergin reeled in the second.

The 8-9 year-old winners were (1st-5th places) Brandon Pike, Fernando Bandin, Scarlett Wagner, Alex Bergin and Garrett Aiken with McDonald looking on.

10-12 year-old category winners were Anton Polacek, first place, Erin Aiken, second place and Corey Brown, third place.

Children had the opportunity to win one of 12 Mongoose BMX racing bikes donated by X-Treme Fitness, super soaker water guns, T-shirts and Mitchell Fishing kits.

Adam Turly rides proudly away on his new BMX bike.

Adults won Charbroil BBQ grills and coolers donated by Orbitel Communications, $75 Fry’s gift cards and pest control certificates.

A smiling David Aviles won one of the Charbroil grills. Rueben Aviles took home the other one.

In all, 49 raffle prizes were donated. “The level of support we received from local businesses was phenomenal,” stated Parks, Recreation and Libraries (PRL) Director Marty McDonald.

The presenting sponsor, Fry’s Marketplace, provided lunch for participants who dined on 250 bratwurst, 300 hot dogs, chips, cookies, water and soda.

The Fry’s grill team works on the bratwursts and hot dogs.

Calvary Chapel Church provided snow cones while Community of Hope Church iced over 1,000 bottles of water to keep everyone cool on a hot day.

“Without the help of local organizations, the event could not have happened,” explained McDonald. “All of our special events run entirely on donations and sponsorships. We do not use tax dollars to offset the costs of these events because we feel that money should be spent on vital community services.”

The Parks, Recreation and Libraries motto is “creating community through people, parks and programs”. The fishing derby did just that. According to derby organizer McDonald, “The event was a huge success.”

The second annual Parent-Child Fishing Derby will be held next year at Province with registration beginning in May 2006.