Special Olympics Fishing Derby set for Wednesday

The 23rd annual Hot Springs Board of Realtors Special Olympics Fishing Derby is set for Wednesday with 10 local schools scheduled to participate.

Rachel Mundy, of Trademark Real Estate Inc., said they are expecting around 250 special needs students who will be able to fish in the pond at Family Park which the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will stock with 400 catfish.

Mundy said the event is always popular with the students who participate. She said as soon as students return from the summer break, they start asking their teachers when the fishing derby is, noting the Realtors and their affiliates also love it.

“It’s one of the most exciting days for the kids, but also for me,” she said.

Every student who participates will receive a prize with categories ranging from largest fish to fish with the longest whiskers, she said.

The fish will be put in the pond that morning before the students arrive and those that are caught will then be cleaned and cooked for lunch that day. Mundy said they will also have other food, like hot dogs, available for students who don’t want catfish.

The park is a good location for the event because it has a playground, she said, noting, “Kids who don’t like to fish can play.”

The Hot Springs Board of Realtors has been affiliated with Special Olympics since 1985, and they do various fundraisers throughout the year to benefit the organization, she said, noting their baggo tournament this summer raised almost $7,000.

The amount of money raised for Special Olympics resulted in the board getting third place in fundraising for Arkansas Special Olympics at the 95th Arkansas Realtors Association Convention this year.

“It’s nice to get,” Mundy said, but placing third also makes her think of ideas for raising even more money in the future. She said that since they started their relationship with Special Olympics, the board has raised over $2 million.

The fishing derby is not a fundraiser, she said, noting it is just a way for the group to give back to the community.

All the local reality companies will be in attendance along with their affiliates like the banks and insurance companies, she said, noting many will bring fun things like cotton candy machines and popcorn machines.

The Lake Hamilton Bass-N-Wolves, the school’s bass fishing team, will also be in attendance.

Mundy said the derby is a win-win for all the volunteers and the youngsters as everybody finds it a fun event.

School buses will start bringing students to the park between 8 and 9 a.m., and the event will end at 1 p.m. A rain date of Oct. 2 is planned.