Sixth annual Norway Family Fishing Festival held

NORWAY — It was a great day for fishing for the more than youth attending the sixth annual Norway Family Fishing Festival Saturday, June 1, at Butters Park. This family educational day was created to teach ages 16 and under how to fish or improve their fishing skills. More than 50 fish were caught by enthusiastic anglers, a record for the festival!
Mollyocket Trout Unlimited offered dry land fly casting lessons, and several children took advantage of the fly tying lessons; the Healthy Oxford Hills Bike Blender was whirring away; Western Foothills Land Trust had info on their many trails and projects; Norway Paris Fish & Game ran the weighing, cleaning and grilling station as well as face painting; The Lake Store provided worms; the Fire Department set up a first aid station, water rescue backup and a popcorn stand; and Café Nomad provided a platter of cookies for all to enjoy.
Joseph Marshall, 9, of Norway won the Stuart B Cummings Lifetime Fishing Award. Cummings was an avid lifetime fisherman, taught how to fish by his grandfather. In memory of Cummings, Joan Cummings donated the funds to allow this award to be given.
This annual event is a collaborative effort of the Norway Parks & Recreation Department, Mollyockett Trout Unlimited, Norway-Paris Fish & Game Association, Healthy Oxford Hills and Bryant Pond 4-H.

Joseph Marshall won the Stuart B. Cummings Lifetime Fishing Award. Pictured aremembers of the festival committee, from left, Ron Blake, Mollyocket Trout Unlimited; Saara Leduc, SAD 17 activities coordinator; Joseph; Sylvia Bosse, Norway-Paris Fish & Game Association; Deb Partridge, Norway Parks & Recreation director. Submitted photo)