Full day of outdoor fun

Thank you, Yuma, for another successful Optimist Club of Yuma Catfish Rodeo on Oct. 17! Youths, parents, grandparents and Optimists alike shared a wonderful day elbow to elbow at West Wetlands Park.

Our sincere gratitude goes to the city of Yuma Parks and Recreation Department, Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Game and Fish and U.S. Fish and Wildlife for their partnership in extending the rodeo to a full day of outdoor fun for families to experience nature at its best with canoe rides, nature hikes, gold panning, photo ops, archery, wildlife CSI, the glorious raptor demo by the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and so much more.

A big shout-out to our Junior Optimists, the M4 JOOI Club of Yuma and the Yuma School District 1 Parent Advisory Committee for all their help that day. The support from the local media – the Yuma Sun, KYMA, KTTI and Z93 – once again was phenomenal and we thank you.

Our deepest thanks go to donors Holsum, Coke, Pepsi, Sam’s Club, Crazy Ice and LZ Bar and Grill for ensuring each of our 428 "fisherkids" received their traditional free dog and beverage for their participation.

And finally, a thanks to Captain Catfish himself, Optimist Dr. Ray Corona, and 1st Mate Kelley Corona for their 22 years at the helm of this outstanding event.

See you next year!

KATIE PAULSON, President, Optimist Club of Yuma