Police Department’s 19th Annual Fishing Derby A Huge Catch

STONEHAM – The Stoneham Police Department’s 19th Annual Fishing Derby brought many families to Spot Pond for a day of fun activities outdoors last month according to Chief James McIntyre.

The Department’s Community Policing Unit, in collaboration with the Department of Conservation and Recreation and Massachusetts Anglers Education Program hosted the event June 16.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., attendees could learn how to fish for free in a non-competitive atmosphere. Equipment and bait were provided to those without their own supplies.

Through the generosity of local businesses, children taking part in the derby received a free t-shirt, barbecue lunch, beverages and raffle prizes.

The perfect weather on Saturday brought over 300 people to the event with 200 children receiving t-shirts and prizes. The artwork featured on this year's t-shirt was drawn by a seventh grade student at Stoneham Central Middle School.

“I would like to thank Officer Ken Bowdidge for once again putting forth the effort to organize this tradition, as well as all of the officers who participated and helped make it a success,” Chief McIntyre said. “A special thanks goes to Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes for providing the Chelsea Police Department’s 'Copsicle 1' which provided ice cream treats to the kids.”

Chief McIntyre would also like to thank the following sponsors whose generosity made the event a great success: Stoneham Bank, Stop and Shop Supermarket, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Electrical Associates, LLC., Honey Dew Donuts, Rapid Liquors, CAP Electric, Bass Pro Shops, Hood Ice Cream, Coca-Cola, Piantedosi Baking Company, Kayem Foods and Pepsi.

Photos courtesy Stoneham Police Department:

From left: Officers Brendan Carr, Luc Bourgeois and Pat Carroll worked the grill at the Stoneham Police Fishing Derby; Benjamin Cherry, age 5, Patrick Cherry, age 7, with their parents, Monica and Tommy Cherry; Danielle Blauvelt, age 10, shows off her fifth fish of the day; Finley Fucarile, age 7, with a fish he caught at the annual Fishing Derby; From left: Jackson McShane, Ben Powers (age 6) Brennan Carroll (age 2), Tierney Carroll (age 5) and Peyton McShane (age 4) were treated to ice cream from the Chelsea Police Department's Copsicle 1 ice cream truck.