Kids fishing rodeo attracts hundreds to community park
JACKSON, Tenn.– Since monday people weren’t allowed to fish at Muse Park in preparations for the annual kids fishing rodeo.
“A skillet better look out,” fisherman william harrison said. “Skillet better look out.”
Saturday morning hundreds of people surrounded the pond at Muse Park to participate in free fishing day. The Jackson and Madison County Parks and Recreation Departments hosted the annual kids fishing rodeo in hopes of getting kids out the house.
“You know and enjoy the outdoors and do more than just sit in the house playing video games watching dvds and netflixs and stuff like that,” Program Director for Madison County Parks and Recreation Tony Ragland said. “Just come out and enjoy nature.”
Although only kids were allowed to fish, for a lot of families the rodeo is quality bonding time.
“Just hanging out with the kids and getting that experience and having that family time,” mother Annie Lewis said. “We’ve done this for several years. We’ve just moved here to jackson so we wanted to try out madison counties.”
William Harrison says bringing the boys from his neighborhood to fish in the rodeo has become a summer tradition.
“I get a lot of enjoyment out of this, I love to fish myself,” Harrison said. “And I’m sure if I ‘m geting some enjoyment out of it, I know they’re enjoying themselves.”
With nearly 150 kids registered, it’s safe to say more than 300 people attended this years fishing rodeo at Muse Park.
“I came out here with my family just to have fun.” 13 year old fisher Alivia Lacy. “Like fishing because I enjoy it. It’s not hard to do. It’s just easy and calming.”
After two hours of fishing trophies were given to the kids who caught the most fish. Trophies were given to the top 3 winners in each age group from 5 to 15.
2016 Kids Fishing Rodeo Winners:
Age 5-8:
1st: Caleb Wilkes 9 lbs. 7oz.
2nd: Alvin Garden 3 lbs. 3oz.
3rd: Jerrin Merriweather 2 lbs. 1oz.
Age 9-11:
1st: Jabari Turner 6 lbs. 3oz.
2nd: Kaitlyn Pitle 4 lbs. 3oz.
3rd: Jeremiah Gardner 2lbs. 14oz.
Age 12-13:
1st: Earnest Edwards 7 lbs. 8oz.
2nd: Jonathan Barber 2lbs. 8oz.
3rd: TJ Spivey 2lbs. 2oz.
Age 14-15:
1st: Anthonio Atkins 7 lbs. 15oz.
2nd: Jaylan Parker 6lbs. 6 oz.
3rd: Kinley Hullom 3 lbs. 15oz.
Smallest Fish: Mahlik Booze 2oz
