On June 6 at precisely 8:00 a.m., the 23rd annual Lions Fishing Derby began at Northgate Park in Avon. The sun was shining, but the wind was blowing and the temperature hovered around 55 degrees. Within two minutes of the first worm-baited hook hitting the water, a 6-inch bluegill was landed and entered into the contest for largest fish caught.
The Avon Lions stocked the pond with perch, bluegill, catfish, crappie and bass the week before the tournament. The contest was to see who could catch the largest fish of each species. Molly Carty, of Avon, caught a 20 inch carp that won her the top prize in the category. Molly is 4 years old and the fish was almost bigger than her. Mia Holztragev caught a whopping 8.25″ bluegill that won her top prize in that category.
The event started in 1993 and has been carried on for most those years by Lion John Aunspaw with the help of his wife, Donna. Aunspaw does everything from ordering the fish, soliciting prizes, arranging for the coffee, donuts, breakfast pizza, and stuffing worms into individual containers for the kids.
Aunspaw and his fellow Lions are responsible for the creation of Northgate Park and the Lions building at it. In 1991, developers were looking to buy the land and put up houses on it. The Lions got local businesses to donate materials, and they erected the present Lions Community Center. The city dedicated the building to the Lions and decided to save the land adjoining it as a park. Aunspaw joined the park board and he and several other Lions were responsible for many of the city’s parks.
The final horn went off at 9:45 a.m. to signal the end of the derby. The winners of the largest fish-caught categories were given specially designed trophies and a prize from the fishing table. A raffle followed the largest fish competition, and the grand prize of the use of the Crusher’s loge was won by Michelle Laporte.
Everyone was a winner at this event because every child received a goodie bag filled with prizes and food from local merchants. Mayor Bryan Jensen summed up the event by saying “Thanks to the Lions. This is a great event for the kids.”
More than 20 Lion volunteers worked the fishing derby with assignments ranging from directing traffic to helping kids get the hook out of the fish’s mouth. “This kind of event is what makes our town special.” said Lions’ President-elect Paul Johnson.
Avon Lions Club gratefully acknowledges the following for their generous support:
AVON DAIRY MART
TOM’S COUNTRY PLACE
SHUR TECH BRANDS
H & B WlNDOW CLEANING, INC.
FIRST FEDERAL OF LAKEWOOD
ONE STOP BEVERAGE
SMITTY’S BARBER SHOP
FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS OF LORAIN
JOE FIRMENT CHEVROLET
JIM FIRMENT
MARY’S TRADING POST.COM
THE METAL SHOP – BOB HILL
AVON EYE DESIGN DR. JOHN NOVAK
AND DR. BROOKE BADER
FRANK and ELLIES PLACE
TAYLOR RENTAL
PARTY ANIMALZ
AVON HERITAGE DUCT TAPE FESTIVAL
JELLY BEANS
MISENCIK FUNERAL HOME
JOHN’S BAIT SHOP – AVON LAKE
MARTIN’S DELI AVON
CAFE/COFFEE HOUSE – MIKE PETRILLO, PROP.
IMPACT MARKETING GROUP
RURAL KING
AVON LIONS CLUB
More photos from the event…
