Hook Line & Sinker

Go fish! The annual Redmond Volunteer Firefighters Fish Fair — FREE for kids 13 and younger as well as for those with disabilities — is set for Saturday, May 21 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Firemens’ Pond, 1100 SW Lake Ct. in Redmond. Kids who love to fish, along with those who want to try it for the first time, are welcome at the event.

“The Fish Fair provides an opportunity for kids and families to experience our beautiful outdoor lifestyle with ease and no expense,” said Cory Erickson, co-chair of the event.

Everything needed to cast a line in the water will be provided at no cost, and there will be plenty of volunteers on hand to loan free gear, provide bait, and offer assistance. Snapshots of the children with their catch are taken and available to take home within a few minutes. New this year will be additional games for children to play at sponsor booths. As in previous years, first through third place prizes are offered for the longest fish in the age categories of 0-4, 5-8 and 9-13.

“The best part of the event is seeing the kids enjoy themselves,” said Jade Ames, volunteer president and engineer/paramedic with Redmond Volunteer Firefighters. “For some of the kids this is their first time fishing.”

Ames co-chairs the event with Erickson, and he said that celebrating with children who catch their first fish is his favorite part of the day. He recalls a young girl who had never been fishing before who ended up winning the prize for biggest fish — caught using a Barbie fishing pole.

There should be plenty of opportunities for everyone to celebrate, as organizers stock the pond with hundreds of bass and trout in the weeks prior to the event.

Originally founded by the Lion’s Club in the 1940s, the Fish Fair is over 60 years old. For the past three decades the volunteer firefighters have organized the event, and in recent years the Redmond business community has become more involved in the annual tradition.

“The event has grown to be large with the help of our other sponsors including American Family Insurance, Bluefish Dental & Orthodontics, Redmond Kiwanis, Redmond Chamber of Commerce, All About You Engraving and Quality Heating,” said Ames.

Attendance at the event is counted by the number of hot dogs grilled and handed out by the Redmond Kiwanis as part of the free barbeque (hot dogs, chips and drinks), and recent years have seen the hot dog count reach more than 800 served. The more the merrier, according to the organizers.

“It really is great giving back to the community,” said Ames. “And I think all kids would enjoy coming out to fish.”

For more information call 541-316-3022 or 541-604-4364