Catch Community Spirit at Fishing Derby

Visitors to Minuteman Park on Saturday will catch both fish and community spirit.

The Westborough Civic Club will sponsor the seventh Fishing Challenge from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., part of the 2013 Westborough Spring Festival hosted by the Rotary Club of Westborough.

"It's a family activity, a chance of families to enjoy the outdoors together, enjoy the community spirit," Civic Club member Bill Kohler said.

First-, second- and third-prizes will be presented for the longest fish caught in these age categories,he said: eight and under, nine to 16, and 17 and over. In case of a tie in length, the first fish caught will win, he said.

The longest fish overall also will win a prize.

The prizes will be fishing tackle. Some items wil be donated by Barry's Bait and Tackle.

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife will provide some instructors for the day.

"They'll help people put bait on a hook and get fish off of a hook, and provide casting instruction," Kohler said.

Participants can bring their own rod and reel, although the state will provide them too. Civic Club Chairman Bill Coveney said live bait will be available for purchase from Barry's.

Last year's fishing derby drew more than 150 participants, Coveney said.

The Rotary Club of Westborough has organized the spring festival, which runs Friday to Sunday.

The presenting sponsor is Roche Bros.

The title sponsor is Avidia Bank.

The platinum event sponsors are Ball Financial, Elite Dental Care, and St. Mary’s Credit Union.

The major sponsors are Curry Printing, and the Westboro Tennis and Swim Club.

The gold sponsors are Carruth Capital, Central One Federal Credit Union, Marlborough Savings Bank, and the YMCA.

The silver sponsors are Coldwell Banker, and Mugford’s Flower Shoppe.  

The bronze sponsors are Andrew Abu Realtors, Alexander & Aronson, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Commerce Bank, the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough, Westboro Dental, the Boroughs JCC, Smith & Sullivan Co., UMass Memorial, United Home Experts and Veola Water.

The contributors are Dolan & Maloney, E.L. Harvey and Sons, Endless Mountain Solar Services, Gallagher Real Estate, Gary Sanginario, P.C, Mackintire Insurance Agency, NAPA Auto, Northern Energy Services, Traci Portnoff, Sager & Schaffer, and Uhlman’s Ice Cream.

The participating supporters are Julio's Liquors, the Westborough High School Student Council, Cumminngs School of Veterinarian Medicine, Westborough Civic Club, Westborough Historical Society, NAPA Auto, Westborough Lion's Club, Sure Fire Dogs, and ReMax Prestigue.