BLANCHESTER — The Blanchester Parks and Recreation Board held their second Annual Fishing Derby on Sept. 9. It had been originally scheduled for the previous weekend but was postponed due to the rainy weather.

“Attendance was down slightly from last year, but we had a lot of competition with youth sports and, of course, the Corn Festival,” said Parks Director Tina Fischer.

Those in attendance were having no problems catching fish, according to Fischer.

“They were definitely biting that morning. The weather was very cooperative as well. The kids were spread out all along the side of the lake, taking their fishing very seriously. This is an event that we plan to build on, hoping to make it bigger and better each year,” said Fischer.

Fischer said the event would not have been made possible without donations from several businesses including Bambeck & Vest, First National Banks of Blanchester, Bizcom Electric, Dorn Fire Protection, B.I.C. Precision Machine Shop, Miami Valley Paperhanging, BDK Feed & Supply and Chris Bradley.

She also gave praise to all the volunteers who made the day possible: Rocky and Krista Morris, Tim Miracle, Chuck Meyers, Tyler McCollister, Terry McCrone, Noah Armocida, Hayden Tedrick, and Leo Burkhardt. She also thanked Matt Roberts from the Ohio Division of Wildlife for stopping by and talking with the kids and handing out some bobbers and bracelets, and Glen Faulkner, for the extra mowing around the reservoir.

“Again, thank you, everyone, who donated, volunteered or came out and fished. We hope to see you out there with us again next year,” said Fischer.