May 31, 2021

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake will host its annual Jack Miller Memorial Kids Fun Day event Saturday, June 5. “The kids enjoy it tremendously,” said Wappapello Lake Park Ranger Andrew Jefferson, who noted the event has been held for more than 20 years...

Paul Davis Assistant Editor

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake will host its annual Jack Miller Memorial Kids Fun Day event Saturday, June 5.

“The kids enjoy it tremendously,” said Wappapello Lake Park Ranger Andrew Jefferson, who noted the event has been held for more than 20 years.

“It started off as the Walmart All-American Kids Fishing Tournament,” Jefferson said. “The reason we renamed it as the Jack Miller Memorial Kids Fun Day is because he was very instrumental in keeping the event going by providing trophies for all the kids that participated.”

The event is open to all children ages 5-14 at no cost.

Everyone will meet at the Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center off Highway T at 7:45 that morning, Jefferson said.

“The main reason we meet at the visitor center is to go over some safety rules and regulations, because once they get to the fishing area, everybody kind of just takes off to go fishing,” Jefferson said.

From the visitor center, participants will take their own vehicles to the Lost Creek Pond to fish from 8-11 a.m.

Besides the fishing opportunities, Jefferson said, the Missouri Department of Conservation also will have stations set up where children can try their hand at shooting bows and arrows, along with a pellet gun range.

Once the fishing period is over, everyone will travel back to the dam for more activities.

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“Once we are done fishing and get back to picnic shelter No. 6, which is located over at the Spillway Recreation Area, we’re going to have a cookout,” Jefferson said.

That cookout, Jefferson noted, is funded by the Wappapello Lake Area Association.

Other event sponsors, he said, include the Missouri Department of Conservation, Millie’s, Mingo Job Corps and Walmart.

During the cookout, several awards from the morning’s fishing event will be handed out, as well as door prizes for everyone.

“We’ll distribute door prizes, and we’ll have some water safety activities over there as well,” Jefferson said. “Everyone will receive something.”

Those interested in participating are asked to pre-register by calling the lakes project office any 573-222-8562, or by visiting Alice’s 1 Stop, Rhodes 101, Millie’s Gas Mart, Food-Rite Grocery Store, Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center, Bill’s Mini Mart (Puxico) or either Convenient Gas Mart on Old Highway B.

“We would prefer they pre-register so we know how many to participate,” Jefferson said, “but they can also register at the event.”

After last year’s COVID-19 disruptions to lake activities, Jefferson said, Corps of Engineers staff is looking forward to the event.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Jefferson said. “Last year threw us for a loop, but it seems like everything is lining up for us this go around, and we’re putting our best foot forward.

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