More than 250 gather for Potawatomi Wildlife Park's 33rd Annual Fishing Derby

When you provide the fishing poles, remove the barriers, gather an incredible group of volunteers, and invite the community to spend a morning together outdoors, more than 250 people show up.

Potawatomi Wildlife Park's 33rd Annual Fishing Derby brought generations together for a morning of fishing, food, learning, and memory-making. From babies watching from strollers to anglers in their 80s, Pond 5 was surrounded by families enjoying a tradition that has been part of the park for more than three decades.

The Fishing Derby ran on Saturday morning, September 12th, alongside the park's Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser. The morning wrapped up with awards, more than 50 raffle prizes, and a special surprise for the youngest anglers.

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor who simply wants to see youth get outside and fish, every child under 16 went home with a fishing pole, tackle box, or bait kit.

Free pulled pork, hot dogs, chips, and pop were served throughout the event. Families who wanted to participate but didn't own fishing equipment didn't have to sit on the sidelines — the park had equipment available to borrow so everyone could join in.

Fishing at Potawatomi Wildlife Park is reserved for special events like the Annual Fishing Derby and organized educational experiences with the Park Manager, making this annual tradition an especially exciting opportunity for families.

Throughout the morning, volunteers measured fish and helped children learn more about what they were catching. Kids could step away from the pond to practice casting with experienced fishermen, play casting games in the village, make a fish keychain, or learn how to assemble a fishing pole. Even the littlest anglers had a place to participate, with a kiddie pool filled with plastic fish just for them.

Family pictures were taken along the pond by Park Manager Lacey Pfeiffer, capturing another piece of the day's memories.

For Pfeiffer, one of the most meaningful moments comes when a familiar face appears along the pond — a child who first learned to fish during an educational field trip at the park, now returning with their family for the Fishing Derby. That's when you get to see "teach someone to fish" come full circle.

The entire event was made possible through the generosity of the anonymous donor and an amazing team of volunteers who gave their time to make sure families felt welcomed, supported, and included.

Days like this are exactly what Vernon Romine envisioned for this land. Romine was a local landowner who believed everyone — especially children and families with limited means — deserved access to the outdoors. When he passed away in 1979, he entrusted 151 acres to be developed into a park by five local service clubs.

That original gift has grown into the more than 300 acres of prairie, woodland, and wetlands that make up Potawatomi Wildlife Park today. The park's mission remains rooted in that original vision: connecting people with nature, local history, and community through low-impact recreation and educational programming.

Visitors can explore approximately five miles of trails, experience wildlife and natural habitats, participate in educational programs, and attend free community events throughout the year.

But there is something important the park wants the community to know: Potawatomi Wildlife Park is not a state or county park. It is a private nonprofit park, powered by the community and open free to the public 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset.

Keeping more than 300 acres open, maintaining trails and facilities, providing educational experiences, hosting community events, and caring for this special place costs approximately $138,000 each year. And the park can't do it without its community.

Next on the calendar is one of the most important nights of the year — the Potawatomi Wildlife Park Annual Celebration Banquet on October 10. The goal is to raise $10,000 to $20,000 to help keep the park thriving, free, and available to the community.

Today, Vernon Romine's original vision is carried forward by a volunteer Board of Directors, one full-time Park Manager, one part-time staff member, and an incredible group of volunteers. But keeping the park free takes a community.

Community members are encouraged to purchase banquet tickets, invite family and friends, and come celebrate everything this community has made possible. Those who cannot attend in person can still support the park through its online auction.

Every banquet ticket, auction bid, donation, and volunteer hour helps ensure Potawatomi Wildlife Park can continue welcoming the next generation — because maybe the next child who walks through the gates will catch their first fish there, discover a love for wildlife during a field trip, or simply enjoy a beautiful place with their family without worrying about the cost.

That was Vernon's vision more than 45 years ago. And with the community's help, that vision is still alive today.