Grab a rod and go with free fishing weekend

Downtown Barrie was full of families looking for their big catch over the weekend.

For the 20^th year, the Kempenfelt Rotary Club was handing out free fishing rods to everyone who signed up.

According to the rotary club, the event is one of the largest free fishing events in the country.

“We really try to get kids back engaged with the outside, this really is a giveback event for our club and it’s amazing to see the community that we have close to 2,000 kids, all their parents and other loved ones, we’ve probably got close to 5,000 people in the park today,” said Ryan Stitt, co-chair of Kids Fishing Day for the club.

Families were able to come to the waterfront and enjoy the morning fishing, eating and playing.

“The best part of this event is seeing all the kids smiling and the parents, who, some of them never fished before,” said Geoff Cook, co chair of the vent.

“So this is this is the big chance. We got this beautiful waterfront. Let’s get the kids use it,” Cook added.

Everyone who received a rod from the Rotary Club was allowed to keep the rod in hopes of encouraging children to keep on fishing.