MOUNT VERNON — Despite the humid weather’s threat of rain, the Rotary-Kiwanis Regatta at Foundation Park drew hundreds of people on Saturday with a slate of free events for children and adults. Rotary and Kiwanis organizers were joined by staffers from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Knox County Park District, who ran a variety of contests, booths and demonstrations.
Aaron Stallard was excited with the 6-inch bluegill he caught in the youth fishing competition, even though it didn’t rival the 15 1/2-inch catfish 6-year-old Johanna Adkins brought to be measured.
Asked if it was hard to reel in, Johanna said yes, and nodded her head vigorously. When the fish wiggled on its line, she tried to jump back from it without letting go of the line.
Knox County Park District operations manager Doug McLarnan said organizers were seeing a lot of young fishermen, leaving them with only a handful of fishing poles left to loan out. Parks director Kim Marshall said fishing was the most popular thing this year, whereas other activities sometimes drew more in other years.
“The important thing is to get these young people out here and involved with nature,” Marshall said.
At the 4-H shooting booth, 4-H coordinator Larry Hall and volunteer Ed Clawson were showing youngsters the finer points of archery and giving them ample chances to shoot at targets. Halfway through the event, almost two dozens youngsters had tried their hand at the bow and arrow, according to Clawson’s wife, Kayla, who was helping at the booth.
Mike Miller, Knox County’s wildlife officer, had to take down the tent over ODNR’s display about Ohio Native American arrowheads, spear points and other tools. The tent was having trouble holding up to the brisk wind which sprang up, although the wind took the edge off the hot and humid temperatures. ODNR’s other displays included animal pelts, trapping equipment and state record-holding fish.
Other activities included Chesapeake Bay Retriever demonstrations, a fishing seminar, pointer demonstrations, grilled hot dog concessions and a raffle for gift certificates to the Village Inn, proceeds of which benefit Foundation Park.
