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Fishing for Freedom

Manawa event set for Jan. 26

By Holly Neumann


The third annual Fishing for Freedom will be held from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, on the Manawa Millpond.

“What makes this a fun event is that we have activities for all ages,” said John Smith, park committee member. “The fishing is a family event, and we make sure that we have prizes for virtually every child who brings a fish to register. This makes it fun for the families as the children are very excited to receive a prize. When the children are happy, mom and dad are happy and that equates to a successful event.”

Cash prizes will be awarded for the largest fish of the following species: northern, bass, perch, crappie and bluegill.

Fishing for Freedom will also feature a soup cook-off.

“When you fish you have to eat, right?” said Deb Sarna, park committee member. “It’s so interesting to see the large variety of soups. Local competition from year to year just keeps getting better.”

This competition is open to people of all ages and the public will do the voting.

“Everyone will get a ticket when they purchase a cup of soup and vote for their favorite,” said Sarna. “The person with the most tickets gets first place.”

“Going back to the public judging makes it a more fun event and more meaningful because now you have a popular vote rather than three judges deciding,” Smith said.

Participants are expected to bring a crock pot or Nesco roaster filled with soup and a serving spoon to the south side of the Manawa Area Veterans Freedom Park shelter by 9 a.m. to enter. No one will be turned away.

Participants must be present at 2 p.m. for the judging and prize giveaway.

Other activities will include a 50/50 raffle, bucket raffles and paddle raffles.

Bucket raffle items include Milwaukee Bucks tickets, Green Bay Packers memorabilia and baskets from local businesses.

Tickets can be purchased for the raffle at Kegler’s Bowling Alley, Steve and Michelle Midtown Bar, Union Still, Sandbur Corners, Club 161, Smith’s Manawa Steakhouse, Cedar Springs, Triple O Supper Club, from committee members or on the day of the event.
The event is free to anyone who wants to fish.

Registration will begin at 7 a.m., at the Manawa Area Freedom Park shelter.

Refreshments will be available to purchase.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Manawa Area Veterans Freedom Park.

“Our park is in the final stages. However, the next few steps are very costly and we need to raise roughly $250,000,” said Smith. “Our playground equipment has been delivered and will be installed first thing in the spring. We have a few benches that will be installed, and we are planning on the bridge connecting the memorial side to the family side to be placed by early summer.”

Smith noted a gazebo may possibly be placed by the fishing dock and playground equipment.

The largest remaining piece of the park will be the splash pad.

“We hope to have it all completed this summer,” said Smith. “In all reality, we may need to go out to the summer of 2020 with the splash pad due to cost.”

Smith thanked those who have donated to the project.

“Although our committee gets a great deal of praise for building this memorial for our veterans and their families, I believe the one thing that we all agree on is that it would not be possible without the continued support from our community and all of the surrounding communities,” said Smith. “This is truly a project that has come together through the generosity of a great deal of people. We are just trying to make sure that our fundraisers include as much fun as we can so people continue to stay interested.”

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