By Tom Smeaton
Its future may have been doubtful in 2011, but now for the second year in a row, the annual Bordentown Township fishing derby is set to cast off and drop line on July 4 at the town’s Northern Community Park.
“The township just likes to do nice things for the general public,” said Angel Sauro, the confidential aide to the mayor of Bordentown Township, Jim Cann. “The kids get really involved. They come out … and assist in stocking the pond. It’s just a fun, family event.”
Sauro, who also serves as community events coordinator for the town, has organized the fishing derby for 13 of the 14 years she has worked with the township. The only exception to that annual streak came in 2011, when the event had to be cancelled due to a lack of funding.
However, the lost year didn’t drive down participation or take away from the popularity of the fishing derby in the town. According to Sauro’s projections, high attendance has remained largely consistant over the years, and that didn’t change during last year’s comeback event.
“We have in the hundreds, for the children to sign up,” Sauro said. “It’s usually between 150 and 200 children that attend, and then they bring their parents with them.”
The young anglers will also have the chance to bring home awards in various categories, depending on their luck with the mix of sunnies, carp and catfish that will be added into the park’s pond for the derby.
Sauro said this year’s categories will include awards for first arrival, youngest fisherman, most fish caught and biggest fish, among others. The winner in each category will receive a trophy to commemorate the achievement.
Just two years removed from the cancelled derby, the event’s significance in the township is not lost on Sauro. What was an annual event before 2011 can this year celebrate a true new beginning of a community custom.
“Just keeping the tradition alive in the township is very important,” Sauro said.
The derby is free to enter for all participants, with all children ages 13 and under eligible to take part in the fishing festivities. Registration for the event will begin at 9 a.m. on the day of the event, with the actual derby kicking off shortly thereafter, running from 10 a.m. until noon.
