This year’s Polk County Kids Fishing Rodeo was held on Saturday, May 29, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Kenview Farms, located on Ga. Hwy. 113 between Rockmart and Cartersville.

The event was an opportunity for local children to fish for channel catfish. Participants were advised to bring their own fishing equipment and bait. No fishing with minnows is allowed at the private lake, which is made available for the event by the owner, working through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Anglers had some success with worms and blood baits, but others, like Cedartown's Jeff Washington, found great success using shrimp.

Anglers were reminded during the day of the eight-fish limit, and also that fishing was supposed to be limited to children ages 15 and below -- although adults were allowed to help the younger children.

Children received free raffle tickets at registration. Prizes, such as new fishing rods, were handed out throughout the day.

Free hotdogs, potato chips, soda and water were also provided.

Prizes and food were made possible by the many local businesses that contributed, including:

S&S Pallets & Equipment, Coosa Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Elmo Carter Construction, Fun Wheels Skating Center, Cedar Valley Container, H&W Transfer, Kenview Farm, Hamby Clearing & Grading, Sportsman Hut, Wal-Mart;

Department of Natural Resources, Runnin Wild Foods, Casey's Food Store, Jane & Harold Wyatt, Mayfield Dairy Farms, Wrights Trucking and Grading;

Coca-Cola, Short Grading, Complete Crete, Hime's Pest Control, Vickie's Country Kitchen, Cedartown Hardware Inc.;

Bar-L-BBQ, Regions Bank, Fenley TV Repair, Holmes Law Firm, Lamars Sporting Goods, Gammage Funeral Home, Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home, American Legion Cedartown post, Robinson's Muffler & Auto Service, B&D Garage, Big Cedar NWTF, Rome Plow Co., Forsyth Body Shop, First National Bank, Cedartown Quick Lube, McNabb Tire & Wheel and Freeman Harris Funeral Home.