Smelt Derby Saturday: a family festival

If it’s the last Saturday in February, it’s the day of the Annual Smelt Derby Family Festival. It is. The 24th is the 53rd annual Smelt Derby in La Conner.

It is no longer all things smelt. Prize categories in the fishing derby include herring and largest and smallest fish. There are kid contests and adult contests. Fishing starts at 8 a.m. and goes to 1 p.m.

Start the day with the Smelt Run. There will be registration at the La Conner Elementary School gymnasium. The Kids Dash is at 8:45 a.m. The 10K, 5K and 2K races start at 9:00 a.m. Pre-registration is ongoing.

Everyone qualifies for the pancake breakfast and fishing painting at Maple Hall. Breakfast is 8-11 a.m.

A treasure hunt is new this year. It is not known if there are age groups or prizes. Adults teaming with kids is encouraged. Ask at Maple Hall.

For more information and to register for the run:

http://laconnerrotary.org/.