The Ike Foundation and the Mid-Atlantic Youth Anglers & Outdoor Program will team up to sponsor a day of family fun and a series of fund-raising events on Saturday (Aug. 6) at the Camden Waterfront in New Jersey.
Known as “The First Annual Ike Celebrity Pro-Am Bass Fishing Tournament & Family Fun Fest,” the public festivities start at 11 a.m. and include carnival games, face-painting, kids fishing instruction, giveaways, 50/50 raffles and auctions, along with music and food on the waterfront. The first 500 people receive bracelets for a discount to the nearby Camden Children’s Garden and the Battleship New Jersey, both of which are nearby, as is the Adventure Aquarium.
Fishing competitors meet at 7 a.m. and boats launch from Wiggins Park Marina at 8. Fifty teams, 19 of which are captained by current tour pros, will participate. First prize is a 2016 Bass Cat Margay boat and trailer valued at $30,000; 2nd prize is an Exmark Mower valued at $12,000 and 3rd, 4th and 5th prizes are boxes with $500 Rapala gift cards, Flambeau gift packs and other items.
Pro anglers slated to compete include Kevin VanDam, Randall Tharp, John Crews, Mike McClelland, Ish Monroe, Brandon Palaniuk, Fletcher Shryock, John Murray, Jordan Lee, Joe Sancho, Britt Myers, Carl Jocumsen, Jared Lintner, Morizo Shimizu, Chris Zaldain, Pete Gluszek and Mike Iaconelli.
All pro boats are now assigned, however, teams can still sign-up to compete. For information, visit www.TheIkeFoundation.com/Tournament.
Weigh-in starts at 2 p.m. at Wiggins Waterfront Park. A benefit dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. offers an opportunity for ticket-holders to mingle with the pros and celebrities and take part in a silent auction of sports memorabilia, jewelry and dozens of other items. Tickets for the benefit dinner and the silent auction are available at www.TheIkeFoundation.com/Dinner.
