The 11th Annual Backpack Project USA Family Fishing Rodeo benefiting students in Escambia County will be held Sept. 5-7 at Grand Lagoon Yacht Club.
Backpack Project USA helps provide food to children deemed at risk for hunger in Escambia County Schools.
On “Real News with Rick Outzen” this morning, Richard Lyons discussed the backpack program began.
“It was a few guys from maintenance who saw a need over at OJ Semmes Elementary School with 25 students about 12 years ago, and we’ve grown it into roughly 550 kids at 17 schools,” Long said. “We raise money to send food home on the weekends to students who have been identified by their administration as at risk of hunger. These are kids who are running up to their teachers asking for crackers during class or rushing the lunch line. These are students that are in need of some real food to help nourish their minds and help them with their education.”
The Family Fishing Rodeo consists of an Open and Junior Division. The Open Division is for anglers 13 and older with an entry fee of $20.00. The Junior Division is for anglers 12 and under with no entry fee. Within each division there will be a saltwater and freshwater category.
The Open Division offers 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place monetary prizes, while the Junior Division offers prizes such as trophies for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. Additionally, all 1st Place winners in each category in the Junior Division will be included in a drawing for a kayak.
Tickets are available via Eventbrite.
Before the fishing begins, the Captain’s meeting will be held at Grand Lagoon Yacht Club on Thursday, Sept. 5th, at 6:30 p.m. Fishing will start immediately following the Captain’s Meeting. Anglers can fish on land, dock or boat.
Fish weigh-ins at Grand Lagoon Yacht Club will take place Saturday, Sept. 7 from 12-5 p.m. All anglers must be in line by 5 p.m. when the scales close.
Backpack Project USA will host a fish fry, beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, followed by an awards ceremony, which will begin at 6 p.m. at Grand Lagoon Yacht Club.
For more information on the 2024 Backpack Project USA Family Fishing Rodeo, visit:
The Backpack Project USA Facebook page.
