By Kristin Rover
Sun staff

Batavia Township Trustees are partnering with Clermont County League for Animal Welfare to host a fishing derby and adoption event at the Batavia Township Community Center June 22.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 22, with the fishing derby beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at noon. After the fishing derby, free lunch will be provided from noon until 1 p.m.

“We really wanted to partner with the township,” Samantha Sanders, community relations coordinator for the League for Animal Welfare said about the event. “They have been very supportive of us and they have a great facility.”

Sanders said the executive director of the league and Batavia Township Administrator Rex Parsons thought a fishing derby would be a fun event to have to get people out to the community center and provide more awareness for the league.

“We really want people in the neighborhood to know we are here, that we are adopting animals, we are a no-kill shelter, and we’re here for them,” Sanders said.

Parsons told trustees about the idea to have the event several months ago. He said he has been working with a fish farmer to stock the pond at the community center before the fishing derby.

“We’re looking at bringing in 300 to 400 pounds of catfish,” Parsons said.

The fishing derby is free to the public, but individuals who want to participate must bring their own fishing pole and bait.

Awards will be presented after lunch during the event.

Sanders said League for Animal Welfare’s mobile adoption van will be at the event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a variety of dogs and cats available for adoption. She said there will be about 20 pets at the event.

For more information about the event, call Batavia Township at (513) 732-3888.