EAST LONGMEADOW – What was once tradition for 55–years – the annual spring fishing derby at Heritage Park Pond, once put on by the Jaycee’s, – is coming back to town. In conjunction with the Town of East Longmeadow’s 125th Anniversary, the East Longmeadow Lions Club will be bringing back the spring fishing derby on April 13.

The fishing derby will kick off East Longmeadow students’ spring vacation week. In the past, Chair of the East Longmeadow Lions Club Albert Grimaldi explained, over 500 children would line Heritage Park Pond in an effort to catch the biggest fish.

“We don’t know if we’ll get that many for the first year, but we’re hoping we do well,” Grimaldi told Reminder Publishing. He explained why the Lions Club decided to bring back this event, stating, “We were looking for new projects and we figured this was something sizeable, it’s not just having a dinner or something. This is going to go on every year and it’s a reasonable addition to the town.”

Lion Paul Cunningham added, “It’s a great outdoor activity, and those fish aren’t going anywhere out of the pond. So, after the derby is over, if the kids want to continue to come back and fish at the pond they’re more than welcome to.”

Children from ages three to 14 are invited to Heritage Park Pond at 7 a.m. on April 13 to begin fishing. There are four different age groups, ages three to five, six to eight, nine to 11 and 12 to 14. There will be prizes for first, second and third place in each age group for the largest fish caught.

“We don’t want them netting the fish, they have to be caught on a hook and line,” laughed Cunningham.

Currently, the Lions Club is looking for sponsors and donations to go toward the event. Specifically, they’re hoping local businesses and townspeople would be willing to donate age–appropriate prizes as well as monetary donations for the event.

There are different levels of sponsors, the two noted, stating that there are “big fish” sponsors who donate $100 or more, “little fish” sponsors who donate between $50 and $99 and “guppy” sponsors donating under $50.

“There was a really good group of people that supported it, you know, businesses that used to support it, and we’re hoping they’ll come back again,” Grimaldi said.

Monetary donations can be sent to Sec. Scott Grabowski at 25 Greenacre Ln. East Longmeadow, MA 01116. Gifts and prizes can be dropped off to Lion Al Grimaldi at 48 Millbrook Dr. East Longmeadow.

“It’s hard to believe, but it’s a little over two months away!” Grimaldi reminded the community.

In addition to the quickly approaching fishing derby, the Lions Club is hosting their Winter Wine Dinner on Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. The dinner will take place at Mario’s Café Ambiance at 60 Shaker Rd. in East Longmeadow.

The Winter Wine Dinner will consist of a five–course meal, including soft pretzels, spinach and artichoke dip, pear and candied pecan salad, parmesan crusted fried ravioli, filet mignon, shrimp with spicy tomato glaze, julienned vegetables, assorted petit fours and a wine pairing with each course.

Last year’s Winter Wine Dinner raised approximately $1,100 to go toward Lions Club sponsored events and activities.

“It’s a wonderful event, last year it went on really well. Everyone enjoyed it, the meal was fantastic,” Cunningham said. “It’s well attended and it’s a great Valentine’s Day. When you go out on Valentine’s Day, you always get a lousy meal. You always get lousy service. If you come here, you’re going to get a great meal, great service, great wine selection to go with everything. It’s really a good value and it helps support the club and the many activities we do here in town.”

Tickets to the Winter Wine Dinner are $65 per person and are available for purchase at Mario’s or by calling 525–8119 or emailing dlmartinez@charter.net. The Lions Club would like to have all reservations in by Feb. 10.