The first Catfish Derby for kids was sponsored by Calhoun Sportswear in 1978 in St Catherines in Ontario. It was held as a tribute to the 'Year of the Child." It was a free fishing derby for the children between the ages of 2-14. The first event became so successful that the organizers decided to celebrate it every year on the first Saturday of June. The first year event attracted around 500 children. Two decades later, the participation rose to more than 3,000 children and the same number of parents.
The organizers of the committee comprise of prominent citizens, provincial politicians besides the media representatives and the school principals of the area. A special weigh-in day is organized on the parking lot of the Calhoun Sportswear Factory. Young 'fisher men and women' bring their best catches to the weigh-in station. The names of the schools where they study are announced as their fish is weighed. They are asked to narrate their fishing experiences. It obviously provides them a great sense of pride and pleasure that their faces radiate.
Special prizes are awarded to the winners. However, no participant goes without a prize as each entrant is given a packet of goodies and an official Catfish Derby T-shirt. Although the event is organized primarily by the Calhoun Sportswear, there are scores of corporate sponsors, charitable organizations and volunteers who are involved in its planning and implementation.
The 30th annual Catfish Derby was held on 7th June this year. The money raised was contributed to the Niagara Peninsula Children's Centre. Free T-shirts were given to the first one thousand entrants besides several other prizes and gifts.
