Families reel in fun at Marietta fishing event
Mia Tucker, 7, of Williamstown waits for a fish to bite during Kids Fishing Day Saturday afternoon in Marietta. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, Ali Heightland helps her daughter, Fiadh, cast a line during Kids Fishing Day Saturday at Buckeye Park in Marietta. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, Brad Moore and Torston Depuy sit and chat while fishing at the Kids Fishing Day on Saturday. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Everett Kennon, a Reno resident, attempts to catch fish with a net Saturday at Kids Fishing Day in Buckeye Park. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Mia Tucker, 7, of Williamstown waits for a fish to bite during Kids Fishing Day Saturday afternoon in Marietta. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, Ali Heightland helps her daughter, Fiadh, cast a line during Kids Fishing Day Saturday at Buckeye Park in Marietta. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, Brad Moore and Torston Depuy sit and chat while fishing at the Kids Fishing Day on Saturday. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Everett Kennon, a Reno resident, attempts to catch fish with a net Saturday at Kids Fishing Day in Buckeye Park. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
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MARIETTA -- Children cast their lines into a newly restocked pond at Buckeye Park on Saturday during a free fishing event organized by local union members and their partners.
The Union Sportsmen's Alliance, Ohio AFL-CIO and Electrical Workers Local 972 hosted Marietta Take Kids Fishing Day at the Buckeye Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nicole Webster, an executive board member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 972, said more than 70 children had arrived at the time of her interview. Organizers had a preregistration list for those who signed up to participate.
The event was open to children ages 2-15, with each participant required to be accompanied by a parent, guardian or chaperone. In announcing the event, organizers said it welcomed children of all physical abilities and offered an opportunity to learn about conservation.
Organizers had announced free fishing rods and reels for the first 150 young anglers. Children also received T-shirts, and a free picnic-style lunch was planned following the fishing activities.
Webster said this was the fourth year her group had been involved in the event.
"Our group was just looking for a way to kind of get out there and be a little more involved in the community around us," Webster said.
About five or six volunteers helped with the event, she said, with their work centered on setting up and distributing supplies.
Families could return to the volunteers with questions once they began fishing. Webster said volunteers could also go to participants who needed assistance, including helping remove a fish from a hook.
"It's a good skill to have in general," Webster said of fishing.
She said the activity gives children a reason to spend time outdoors while offering families something they can do together.
"It's nice just to hang out, just a nice vibe," said Sarah Tucker, a parent.