LAC LA BICHE - There was no shortage of fun and interesting events for those who attended Lac La Biche Summer Days, and this included plenty of activities for children.
For youngsters who enjoy being outdoors in the warm summer sun, the Children’s Fish Derby, which took place during the morning and early afternoon of Aug. 6 at Alexander Hamilton Park, was a major draw.
The Lac La Biche Ladies Muslim Association has organized the fish derby for the past two years. According to Hanna Taha, a volunteer with the community organization, this year’s event was a resounding success, with 63 registered children spending a few hours fishing with their families.
“There were quite a few locals as well as visitors from Boston, Saskatchewan, Calgary, and Edmonton,” Taha told Lakeland This Week. “Since Sunday, we have received a generous amount of positive feedback from those who participated in the derby.”
The competition featured prizes that were awarded to the top four fishers. While three of those winners live in Lac La Biche County – Faris Abougouche (2nd place), Darius Steinhauer (3rd place), and Jackson Cull (4th place) - the youngster who left the park with the best prize, a bike donated by ACE Hardware, was Breezy Kagwe of Boston, Massachusetts, who just happened to be visiting the area with his family.
Taha continued by saying that although the Ladies Muslim Association does receive some financial support from the Lac La Biche Summer Days board, without the support of local business and individuals – who graciously donated prizes – the event would not have been possible. Following the derby, the participants and their families sat down for a barbecue lunch provided by Lac La Biche IGA.
“Every child – not just the winners – left with a prize bag full of treats,” she continued. “It was so good to see the smiles and the fun enjoyed by young and old alike. We’re hoping next year’s Children’s Fish Derby will be just as successful.”
