Free Fishing Contest For Kids Coming To Grover Cleveland Park

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County will bring back its free, family-friendly fishing contests for 2021, including an event at Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell and Essex Fells.

There will be several local derbies this year, each open to the public. Sponsored by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, each derby is free and open to children ages 15 and younger. All children must be accompanied by an adult and bring their own fishing pole, bait, bucket and chair. Children are encouraged to bring their own fishing poles.

Prizes in various age categories for catching the first and most fish will be awarded at the conclusion of each derby, county officials said.

For additional information, call 973-268-3500. In case of inclement weather, cancellations will be posted on www.essexcountynj.org. Canceled fishing derbies will not be rescheduled.

The fishing derbies will be held as follows:

• Tuesday, June 8 - Essex County Branch Brook Park Prudential Concert Grove, use Park Avenue or Clifton Street entrances, Newark. On-site registration begins at 4:30 p.m., the derby begins at 5:30 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 9 - Essex County Verona Park Boathouse, Bloomfield Avenue and Lakeside Avenue, Verona. On-site registration begins at 4:30 p.m., the derby begins at 5:30 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7 p.m.
• Thursday, June 10 - Essex County Weequahic Park Lake, Elizabeth Avenue and Meeker Avenue, Newark. On-site registration begins at 4:30 p.m., the derby begins at 5:30 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, June 12 - Essex County Grover Cleveland Park Pond, Brookside Avenue and Runnymede Road, Caldwell/Essex Fells. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m., the derby begins at 8:30 a.m. and awards will be presented at 10 a.m.
• Tuesday, June 15 - Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park Pond, Center Street and Harrison Street, Orange. On-site registration begins at 4:30 p.m., the derby begins at 5:30 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 16 - Essex County Irvington Park Pond, Grove Street and Lyons Avenue, Irvington. On-site registration begins at 4:30 p.m., the derby begins at 5:30 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7 p.m.
• Thursday, June 17 - Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex, Orange Reservoir, Paddle Boat area. On-site registration begins at 4:30 p.m., the derby begins at 5:30 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7 p.m.

“Our fishing derbies are an excellent opportunity for our children to enjoy the historic Essex County park system in a different and fun way,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“You'll have a great time creating your own 'big fish' stories and spending some quality time with your friends and family in some of the most beautiful parks in the area,” DiVincenzo added.

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