Banquet funds Fish-N-Fun Day

The Southeast Missouri Sportsman’s Association Banquet at 5 p.m. Saturday at the American Legion, 2320 Kanell Blvd., is designed to hook a few youthful fishermen.

“We have a banquet each year, and all the money raised goes for the Kids Fish-N-Fun Day,” said Randy Daves, association treasurer.

The group has been having a fundraiser for between 45 to 50 years to sponsor the Fish-N-Fun event May 11.

This weekend’s banquet is open to the public and will feature a chicken dinner which will cost $8 per person.

Saturday “they just need to show up,” Daves said. “The public is welcome. Anyone can walk in and enjoy yourselves. Everybody gets a ticket when they come in to eat. After dinner, there will be the 50/50 drawing, silent and live auctions, and anybody can participate. We’ll have games for the kids and every child usually wins something.

“We start giving away between 50 and 75 door prizes from the different businesses and individuals, who privately own their own business who want to be a part of this too,” he said. “Six of the banks gave me money or gift bags for the dinner. We’re trying to get the community involved.”

All the proceeds from the dinner, the auctions, and drawing will provide the free fun day for the youngsters and their parents, he said. While Fish-N-Fun Day is open to families, the event Saturday is open to everyone and those attending do not need to preregister.

“They just need to show up,” Daves said. “The public is welcome. Anyone can walk in and enjoy yourselves.”

Fish-N-Fun Day is for all the kids and their parents who show up at the local pond at New Covenant Church, PP Highway. All the youngsters are provided with a fishing pole and get to fish. Daves explained it is a catch and release event, so they cannot keep the fish. At lunchtime there will be multiple giveaways.

The Forestry Service will have a casting contest while other organizations offer different games and activities.

“We provide lunch for the kids and their parents,” Daves said. “It’s a totally free day, everything that day, it would be totally free. Nobody’s out a penny. The event is to get the kids to the outside and do things with their parents.”