Buzz Rix fishing derby to raise funds for West Point brigade
It’s no accident that the annual Buzz Rix Memorial Fishing Derby falls on the May long weekend.
The West Point Volunteer Fire Department holds the derby then because it’s the one weekend during trout fishing season when an angling licence isn’t required.
Stewart MacDonald, training officer for the department and nephew of the late sports fisherman the derby is named for, says that gives everyone the opportunity to participate.
The derby will be held May 21. Registrations will be accepted at the Glenwood Pond throughout the morning on Sunday. Participants can also pre-register by etransferring to buzzrixderby@ outlook.com or by texting to 902-853-5502, using the password: buzz. Participants can choose to fish anywhere in West Prince on Sunday but they must report to Glenwood Pond by 12 noon for weigh-in. Hand-cut fries – a Buzz Rix specialty – will be served at the pond throughout the morning. Prizes will be awarded for longest and heaviest fish and heaviest catch in both youth and adult categories.
All proceeds from the derby go towards maintaining the West Point Fire Department and keeping its firefighters equipped.
As the smallest department in P.E.I., MacDonald says West Point relies heavily on fundraising.
Upcoming fundraising events include the department’s 16th annual Show and Shine Car Show on June 11 with prizes available in 28 categories including a highway truck category, people’s choice and Buzz Rix Memorial. Tied in with the Show and Shine, will be an East Meets West car run which leaves from West Point on June 10, circling to Summerside, North Cape and back to West Point.
The small department brings in about $13,000 annually through fire dues, relying on fundraising for the rest of its revenue.
The department has a full complement of 20 volunteer firefighters including three who joined in the past year.