Many say that there’s nothing better on a cool fall morning than casting out a line and reeling in some fish with your family by your side.
Several local Hispanic residents would certainly agree with that sentiment especially after doing so Saturday morning as part of the third Vamos-a-Pescar event at Peter Pan Park. Vamos-a-Pescar, which translates to Let’s Go Fishing, is a national grant-funded program that introduces Hispanic families to the activity of fishing.
Saturday’s event was hosted in cooperation by What’s in Outdoors, Hispanics of Today and Tomorrow, the USD 253 Emporia Migrant Education Program and the Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism. Additionally, several other local and state organizations were on hand including Emporia State University, Flint Hills Technical College, the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Kansas Health Foundation.
HOTT Director Sally Sanchez says while the program is directed at residents of Hispanic heritage, it is open to all community members.
Phil Taunton of What’s in Outdoors says fishing offers more benefits to individuals than most realize at first glance.
According to Taunton, 300 channel cat, more than 200 lbs, were released into the park’s pond for Saturday’s event. This was the third Vamos-a-Pescar event to take place in Emporia this year with prior events being held on May 1 and Aug. 21.
To close out the day’s activities, organizers and participants alike sat down for a community meal featuring fresh fish tacos, hot dogs and hamburgers.
