From staff reports
There will be some new rules and a slightly different look to the Oil City Izaak Walton League’s Oil Heritage Festival children’s fishing derby set for Saturday, July 25.
The changes are in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to comply with state requirements and Centers for Disease Control recommendations.
The most noticeable change is that there will be marked and numbered areas around the pond at Waltonian Park for each family group. The areas are large enough to allow for “social distancing” and eliminating the need to wear masks while within the marked areas.
As in the past, the derby is for children through age 12 with three age divisions. Each child should take their own fishing pole.
Worms will be provided by Jigger Wholesale and are the only bait allowed. Complete rules are listed on the registration form.
Everyone is required to wear a mask while registering and at any time they are not at least 6 feet from anyone who is not within their family group. This requirement is in place from the moment they exit their vehicles until they return to them.
Everyone is requested to take their own masks.
The registration form is available for download on the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce website.
Filling out the form in advance is preferred, but there will be space available at the event where the forms can be filled out. People should approach the registration tables only to turn in the form and be assigned a fishing area.
Registration will open at 8 a.m. Fishing will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 10:30 a.m.
Prizes will be awarded and the grand prizes drawn at that time. Children and their families should remain in their pond-side fishing areas during this period.
