Fun is the theme of Gone Fishin,’ Not Just Wishin’ event May 11-13
Gone Fishin,' Not Just Wishin' on May 11-13 at Oak Mountain State Park allows nearly 1,000 schoolchildren from Jefferson and Shelby counties to enjoy a day of supervised fishing, thanks to hundreds of volunteers from companies and state agencies.
It’s not a holiday, but – like Christmas – some Alabama children look forward to Gone Fishin,’ Not Just Wishin’ the entire year.
On May 11-13, about 1,000 developmentally disabled schoolchildren from Jefferson and Shelby counties descend on the lake at Oak Mountain State Park for a fishing extravaganza. Students not only learn about water safety and proper use of life jackets, but also enjoy music, free food, a bouncy house, art projects, storytelling, kayaking and more.
The 8 a.m. to noon event is so popular that children’s attendance is staggered over the three days.
Gone Fishin,’ Not Just Wishin’ event May 11-13 molds Exceptional Anglers from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
Help from hundreds of volunteers, representatives of state agencies and support from numerous companies makes the annual event possible.
“It’s one of our Environmental Affairs Department’s favorite events we’re involved in all year,” said Mike Clelland, an Environmental Affairs specialist at Alabama Power.
On May 10, Clelland helped Alabama Fish and Wildlife employees in stocking a 1,200-foot area of the lake with bass and several thousand catfish. Several trucks unloaded the stock in the lake behind the park’s main office. There, an expanded pier meets Americans with Disabilities Act standards, providing a safe, comfortable area for youngsters to fish.
Clelland admitted he’s almost as excited about the Exceptional Anglers as the children.
“Seeing the look on all the children’s faces makes all of this worth it,” said Clelland, who said that Alabama Power provided 400 bass and thousands of catfish. “All the many hours of planning, all of the people involved, come down to these three days.”
Clelland said that media are invited to attend on Thursday, May 12, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
