TYLER, Texas — The second annual CBS19 Hooked On East Texas Urban Kids Fishing Derby is set for Saturday, April 27.
This year, it’s at Woldert Park in Tyler. Looking back at last year's derby, from first fish to last fish, the first ever Urban Kids Fishing Derby in the state of Texas, held at Faulkner Park in Tyler did not disappoint. Derby creators Candice Price and Wayne Hubbard are excited to come back.
“We had such an amazing time”, said Hubbard on a Zoom interview from his office in Kansas City. “ I just love the community (and) the families. The love was there and so we just can’t wait to come back."
Price said signups for this year’s derby have already started.
“We’ve already had a few phone calls. So people are already excited. They’re like let’s do this and I’m like all right, good we’re ready," Price said.
Hubbard and Price are hosts of a popular syndicated reality outdoors show called Urban American Outdoors. The pair started the Urban Kids Fishing Derby concept in 2004 in Kansas City. Now, they hold an annual fishing derby in Atlanta, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles, just to name a few.
“Because of social media, people across the country were watching and said can you bring that here and that’s how we embarked on taking it everywhere”, Price said via Zoom.
Price and Hubbard said the Urban Kids Fishing Derby has one message, the outdoors is for everyone. And the derby is about more than fishing; it’s about connections.
“We want people to come and engage, connect, have memories that are for a lifetime and just meet new friends," Hubbard said.
And along the way, they may learn something about conservation and biology, and the derby could possibly launch a path that leads to a career in science, technology engineering, the arts or math.
“This is really about engaging them to look at nature, look at career opportunities, look at fun and build memories for a lifetime," Hubbard said.
The derby starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 27 with opening ceremonies. It will wrap up with an awards ceremony where a $100 cash prize will be given out for the biggest fish and a special surprise prize for the smallest fish.
Space is limited to the first 150 youth anglers who sign up, so don't wait. Just click here for the registration page. We hope to see you at the 2nd annual CBS19 Hooked On East Texas Urban Kids Fishing Derby.