GVACC hosts community fun with Kids Fishing Rodeo
BY KADIE TAYLOR
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
CHAMBERS COUNTY — Family fun while fishing, the Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual Kids Fishing Rodeo on Saturday, June 6, at Hardley Creek Park on West Point Lake. The rodeo is for children ages 12 and under, and children must be accompanied by adults at all times.
“In the years past, we have had 250-plus children participate,” said Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Carrie Wood. “So as the day gets started, they will have the registration and sign all the waivers, which can be done on our website greatervalleyarea.com, and we want to stress the importance of printing those and bringing them completed. If not, it's fine, we'll have someone there, but the line does get a little congested right there at first, because everyone's trying to get in and get their good spot.”
Registration is from 8:30 to 9 a.m. ET, and fishing is from 9:30 a.m. to noon ET. Wood said those who catch a tagged fish will receive a $100 cash prize.
“We will have free bait and free lunch,” she said. “The bait is provided by Bluffton Bait & Tackle, and the lunch is provided by Johnny’s Pizza. We normally eat around 11:30 to noon… It's an exciting day for our community, and it's a reason to get the kids outside and get them involved in something fun.”
A free, family-friendly day, Wood said the Kids Fishing Rodeo provides a space for community members to enjoy nature with their children without worrying about paying fees to participate, and she said the numbers reflect the community excitement for the annual event.
“It has definitely grown,” she said. “If you go out and look at the pictures we posted from last year, it's full and that pond is pretty large. It's just a good day. I think that anyone can enjoy or celebrate something that doesn't cost the family money and that they can do with their children for free.”
Along with a fun event for locals, Wood said the Kids Fishing Rodeo continues the mission of the GVACC, to support Chambers County businesses.
“I think it's highly important that we as organizations provide events for the community,” she said. “At the chamber, our goal is for our businesses to grow, but we've got to have a healthy community for our businesses to be healthy. It's kind of a full-circle moment. So, we make sure that we spend half of our time making sure our community is healthy as well as our businesses, and that growth goes kind of hand in hand.”
Excitement for all, Wood said she looks forward to watching the children and parents’ excitement as fish are reeled in at the rodeo.
“It's just a good day to come out and watch, there's nothing like for me to sit there and watch these children’s smiles on their face as they reel in fish after fish,” she said. “The excitement is so fun, and it's not just the children; the adults are excited for the children as well. [Locals should] come out, take the opportunity to come and bring the kids fishing and all you’ve got to do is bring a pole.”
For more information, visit the Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.
