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+--- Thread: World's Largest Fishing Event for Kids. (/showthread.php?tid=43786)
World's Largest Fishing Event for Kids. - davetclown - 05-12-2003
Everybody's a Winner at the World's Largest Fishing Event for Kids.
And Some Win Twice.
KETCHUM, Okla. The people who organize the world's largest fishing
program for young anglers proudly brag that "everybody's a winner." And
this year, they will also tell you, some young people will win twice.
To add to the fun and excitement for an estimated 300,000 anglers from 5 to
16, Hooked on Fishing International (HOFI) has announced three special
contests open to all who participate in the 1,800 Wal-Mart Kids
All-American Fishing Derby events.
The "I Caught a Fish!" contest is one of the most popular events. Every
young angler who catches a fish, even a tiny one, earns a chance to be in
the drawing for one of three Wal-Mart Shopping Cards. The grand prize
winner will receive a Wal-Mart Shopping Card valued at $500. Second and
third place Shopping Card prizes are valued at $250 and $100 respectively.
Zebco Kids Casting Contest is another popular contest. At each event,
contestants cast toward targets and earn points for hitting or coming
closest to the targets. Winners in both age categories, 10 and under and 11
to 16, receive a Zebco rod and reel combo and a Zebco Casting Contest Award
Certificate. In addition, all contestants whose entry forms are returned to
national headquarters by the deadline will be eligible for a national
drawing for a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond from Zebco.
Catching a fish is a thrill, but catching a big fish is always a bigger
thrill. To focus attention on the young anglers who catch the trophies, the
Fujifilm Big Fish Contest will reward state winners with a Fujifilm
Quick-Snap 2-Pack Camera and a Certificate of Achievement. Nationally, the
angler with the heaviest saltwater fish and the angler with the heaviest
freshwater fish will win a $500 U.S. Savings Bond as well as a gift basket
with Fujifilm products.
"We always say that 'everybody's a winner' at our events, and that's true,
but with these built-in contests, it's fair to say that some young anglers
win twice. The important thing, however, is that everyone has fun and that
they hopefully come away with a new or renewed passion for fishing," said
Gordon Holland, executive director of HOFI, who credits the sponsors for
making it all possible. In addition to Wal-Mart, Zebco and Fujifilm, the
events are funded and supported by Bar-S Foods Co., Berkley PowerBait,
Berkley Trilene, ConAgra Foods, Dubble Bubble Bubble Gum, Eagle Claw,
EverStart Batteries, FishingWorld.com, Johnson & Johnson First Aid Pocket
Pals, Kellogg's, Kraft Foods, and Laker Fishing Tackle.
Now in its 17th year, HOFI recruits civic and fishing clubs, recreation
departments, and wildlife agencies to put on the events locally. With the
support of sponsors, HOFI provides the official derby kits to local
volunteers at no charge. Official derby kits contain event promotion
materials, prizes and other giveaways, product samples and the important
Derby Organizer Handbook, a step-by-step guide for putting on a Wal-Mart
Kids All-American Fishing Derby.
Parents and kids who would like to participate in the Wal-Mart Kids
All-American Fishing Derby program may find the closest event by going to
the official website, [url "http://www.kids-fishing.com"][#0000ff]www.kids-fishing.com[/#0000ff][/url] and clicking on Derby Locator.
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