Annual Father’s Day Kids’ Fishing Derby

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The sun was shining on Lake Lonely for the annual Father’s Day Kids’ Fishing Derby on June 18, as kids and their fathers or guardians spent the morning casting out their lines.

The Derby, which is free to attend, offered free food and drinks along with prizes for participating kids.

“Hopefully it’ll lead some kids down the right track,” said Dan Price, a member of the Saratoga Basspointers Club.

The Saratoga Springs Police and Fire Departments were on hand, bringing along a police horse and firetruck for interactions and photos. Members of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation participate as well, helping show kids how to properly catch and release fish.

“I like when the DEC comes, because they really go to the kids and say, ‘This is how you get them, this is how you put them back,’” said Price. “It’s a learning thing too.”

The derby is sponsored by the Saratoga Basspointers Club, the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 2586, Saratoga Springs Professional Firefighters Union No. 343, Saratoga Springs Recreation Department, Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge No. 161, D&D Marine Services, Saratoga Tackle, Wiggly Worm, and other local organizations.

Members of the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge were also on hand, relaying information to parents regarding the Elks National Foundation Drug Awareness Program.

The derby offers prizes for several categories: pike, sunfish, bass, and pickerel. Price said that prizes would be given out to each kid who participated.

“(We’re) trying to get these kids into it,” Price said. “I remember my first fish.”

With a large crowd in attendance, Price made note of the community involvement, saying a participant at a recent fishing tournament donated his proceeds to the Derby.

“We had a guy that won second place the other day, he said, ‘This is for the kids,’ which was really cool,” Price said. “The kids get a kick out of it, that’s the biggest thing.”