Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs invite the public to participate in Essex County’s 2013 Fishing Derby. The free events will be held in six locations in the Essex County Park System, with an evening fishing derby in Essex County Verona Park.
“Our fishing derbies are an excellent opportunity for our children to enjoy the historic Essex County Park System in a different and fun way. You’ll have a great time creating your own ‘big fish’ stories and spending some quality time with your friends and family in some of the most beautiful parks in the area,” DiVincenzo said. “I invite everyone to come out, cast their lines, Experience Essex and take a look at the improvements we are making to revitalize our parks,” he noted.
Sponsored by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, each derby is free and open to children ages 15 and younger. All children must be accompanied by an adult and bring their own fishing pole, bait, bucket and chair. Prizes in various age categories for catching the first and most fish will be awarded at the conclusion of each derby.
The fishing derbies will be held as follows:
Saturday, April 20: Essex County Branch Brook Park Lake (near the Prudential Lions), Park Avenue and Lake Street, Newark. On-site registration begins at 10:30 a.m., the derby begins at 12 Noon and awards will be presented at 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 4: Essex County Grover Cleveland Park Pond, Brookside Avenue and Runnymede Road, Caldwell/Essex Fells. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m., the derby begins at 9 a.m. and awards will be presented at 11:15 a.m. Derby is co-sponsored by the Roseland Recreation Department.
Thursday, May 16: Essex County Verona Park Boathouse, Bloomfield Avenue and Lakeside Avenue, Verona. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., the derby begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 8:15 p.m.
Saturday, May 18: Essex County Weequahic Park Lake, Elizabeth Avenue and Meeker Avenue, Newark. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m., the derby begins at 9 a.m. and awards will be presented at 11:15 a.m.
Saturday, June 8: Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park Pond, Center Street and Harrison Street, Orange. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m., the derby begins at 9 a.m. and awards will be presented at 11:15 a.m.
Saturday, June 15: Essex County Irvington Park Pond, Grove Street and Lyons Avenue, Irvington. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m., the derby begins at 9 a.m. and awards will be presented at 11:15 a.m.
For additional information, please call 973-735-6229. The fishing derbies will be held rain or shine.
