Bluegrass Diamonds entertaining at fishing derby

Roy Chaisson Memorial supports IWK

An afternoon of musical entertainment will be part of the 10th annual Roy Chaisson Memorial Fishing Derby on May 6.

“It’s my favourite day of the whole year,” says Nadine Chaisson, who has been holding the derby every spring in memory of her late husband and avid fisherman.

Roy Chaisson passed away Sept 26, 2008.

“When people are there to honour his memory, that just blows my mind.”

As with past years, proceeds from the fishing derby will support the IWK Children’s Hospital, a place dear to the Chaisson family’s heart. Roy and Nadine’s son Carson, at one day old, was rushed there on Nov. 11, 1998.

“They saved his life,” she said of a son now approaching his 20th birthday.

Chaisson has seen derby proceeds for the children’s hospital spike in recent years. The $11,670 raised last year was up $3,000 from the previous year and she’s optimistic of raising even more this year through registrations, donations and a lottery.

A highlight of this year’s derby will be entertainment at the Goff Bridge dory launch area in Cascumpec from 12 to 4 p.m. Cory Gallant will entertain there from noon to 2 p.m. and then the Bluegrass Diamonds, a popular bluegrass band from Memramcook, N.B., will take over for the rest of the afternoon.

The organizer is expecting many to drop by just to listen to the entertainment. A donation box will be set up with the proceeds being added to the cause.

To cut down on traffic congestion at the site, Gordon’s Tours will be picking up music fans at O’Leary Corner at 11:30 a.m. for transportation to Goff’s Bridge. There will be cars available at the concert site to transport people back to their vehicles if they cannot stay for the afternoon and the bus ride back.

Food will be served at Goff’s Bridge throughout the day and a draw for a wooden dory will be made at 4 p.m. Tickets on the Barry Tuplin-built dory are already being sold. ScotiaBank will match lottery sales in support of the cause.

Trout fishermen can cast their lines anywhere in West Prince on May 6, but they must return to the dory launch area at Goff’s Bridge in Cascumpec by 4 p.m. that day for weigh-in. Registration will be conducted there throughout the day, and fishermen can also register in advance by calling Nadine at (902)856-9020.