COVINGTON, Ky. - Want to see a kid get excited?
Put a fishing pole in her or his hand and watch their face light up when a fish suddenly tugs on the other end. The surprise, the anticipation and the thrill of reeling in the fish ... these emotions all but guarantee a contagious grin that spreads to anyone nearby.
This Saturday, May 19, such excitement will dominate the banks around Prisoners Lake in Devou Park, when the City of Covington’s Parks & Recreation Department holds its annual Fishing Derby for kids ages 5 to 15.
“When it comes to families having fun together, there is nothing like the Fishing Derby,” Recreation Program Coordinator Erin Smiley said. “We have families who wait all year for this, and we have people who fished the Derby as kids, then brought their kids and are now bringing their grandchildren.”
Some years, as many as 100 Covington kids attend the Derby to fish Prisoners Lake, which is regularly stocked by the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources.
Prizes will be given to youth in different age groups for catching the biggest, smallest and most fish.
The event, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., is free and open to the public and includes lunch after the fishing.
Families should bring their own fishing poles, tackle and bait, although a limited amount of equipment will be available for rent to those who reserve them.
Families who register on-line by midnight tonight (Wednesday, May 16) are also eligible for a raffle with prizes for the whole family, Smiley said. Families also can register in person beginning at 9 a.m. the morning of the event, although they won’t be eligible for the raffle.
The event is Covington’s celebration of National Kids to Parks Day sponsored by the National Park Trust.
Covington is one of over 900 kid-friendly programs and events on Saturday that have registered through the Trust, with nearly 2 million people pledging to show a kid how to enjoy the outdoors that day.
Covington Mayor Joe Meyer has issued a proclamation recognizing the day as an opportunity to empower kids and families to get outdoors, live an active lifestyle and introduce a new generation to our parks.
Details:
Parking:
- A small lot across from the lake.
- Behringer-Crawford Museum nearby.
- Gus Sheehan Park at the bottom of Prisoners Lake Drive.
Registration:
- Register at https://covfishingderby.eventbrite.com by midnight today (May 16), for a chance to win prizes for the entire family.
- Youth also can register at the event Saturday morning beginning at 9 a.m., although they won’t be included in the raffle.
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