Bring umbrellas to Saturday’s Fishing Derby

While the fish won’t care, it could be a tad damp for those standing lakeside during Saturday’s 9th annual Fishing Derby.

As of Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service was predicting 30 percent rain, mostly after 11 a.m. on Saturday.

City spokeswoman LaTricia Woods said the derby would not be canceled, but encouraged people “to bring what it will take to stay dry.”

Some 150 young boys and girls are registered to cast their lines at Pacana Park Lake at 2:30 p.m., with 450 to 500 parents and other spectators expected to enjoy the event, said Brenda Campbell, the city’s special events coordinator.

Chitwood Feed, a local store that has been assisting in city events for more than 15 years, is helping the fishing derby by providing all of the bait included in the kits each kid will receive upon arrival.

Debbie Chitwood, owner of Chitwood Feed, said the business has been helping out with city events since 1997 and this event, in particular, for the last four years.

“We enjoy doing something to give back to the community,” Chitwood said. “Especially when it involves children.”

Chitwood said when the city asked for help on the fishing derby, she just couldn’t refuse.

Fry’s Marketplace will provide the fishing poles and rods for the kids and all the materials necessary for the post-derby barbecue.

Carole Raczkowski, one of the managers who works at the local Fry’s, said the story has been helping out with the event since it started nine years ago.

“We have been a big part of the derby since before I even got here,” she said. “It’s quite a big thing and we are happy to be helping out.”