Do you want to have a great time, help a great cause and be part of a Guinness World Record, all at the same time? It is all at the event called the One Square Mile of Hope. A “human raft” of canoes and kayaks will be formed out in Fourth Lake in Inlet to attempt to break the Guinness World Record again. It is a great day of fun but, most importantly, the money raised will go to breast cancer research.
One Square Mile of Hope – 2014 will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13 in Arrowhead Park in Inlet. Boats will launch from twelve put-in places around the head of Fourth Lake by 11:30 a.m. and head for the rafting-up area (with all paddlers wearing PFDs). The planes will fly over at noon for the requisite official photos and video. After the record is broken (and it will be!) then it’s back to the park for music, food, raffles, health and wellness displays and activities. Go to onesquaremileofhope.org for photos and complete information. Registration is open now.
This is the third such event to be held at Arrowhead Park on Fourth Lake. In 2008, the Inlet paddlers put together a raft of 1,104 boats, soundly defeating Cleveland’s record. Inlet held the record until 2010 when a group on a confluence of rivers in Pittsburgh took the record with 1,619 boats. Then, in 2011, OSM-2011 regained the status of world champs with 1,902 boats. That record stood until last year when a group in Sutton’s Bay on Lake Michigan floated 2,099 boats, upping the record by nearly 200.
This year’s committee, led by co-chairs Connie Perry and Carolyn Belknap, is aiming to bring together a raft of 3,000 boats and to raise $100,000 in funds for the fight against breast cancer. Well-known boat companies Placid Boatworks, Necky Kayaks and Eddyline Kayaks have each donated a boat to be offered as prizes in a raffle, for which tickets are already on sale and will continue to be until Sept. 13.
The entire day is replete with raffles, Chinese auction, silent auction, delicious (healthy) foods, wellness activities and many booths which focus on providing information concerning healthy-living and cancer prevention. To top off all of this, a variety of live musical groups, ranging from country to pop to rock to classical, will perform throughout the day. You won’t be able to resist buying into the boat raffle and participating in the auctions for unbelievable items.
You can sign up at the Inlet Information Office in person, Call 1-866-GO INLET or visit the website www.OneSquareMileofHope.org. Register Now. Be part of a Guinness Word Record, have a lot of fun, and support a great cause all in one.
SHORT CASTS
Canalfest Family Fishing Derby: The Canalfest Annual Family fishing Derby, which is organized by The Rome Rotary Club, will be held Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014 from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Bellamy Harbor Park in Rome on the NYS Barge Canal.
Registration is free and starts at 7:30 a.m. All participants must register to be eligible to win. Participants must have valid fishing licenses in accordance with requirements set forth by New York State (NYS). Participants must provide their own tackle. Worms will be available.
No fishing will be allowed prior to the Derby start at 8:00 a.m. Fish must be caught during the Derby and all “game fish” presented for weigh-in must meet NYS minimum length requirements. Fish must be caught in the canal between the Mill Street Bridge and the Arterial Bridge.
Weigh-in will be continuous, from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Participants must be present to win and fish must be alive to be considered for award.
There will be door prizes, cash awards in various categories and all children who catch a fish and bring it to weigh-in can enter for a random drawing. The adult category is for those 13 and over and a children’s category for 12 and under.
For information contact Keith Butters – kabutters@aol.com or (315) 725-6063.
Bass Pro Shops Fall Hunting Classic: The Fall Hunting Classic, held at 710 Horatio St. in Utica is set for Aug. 1-17. This annual event offers free seminars led by nationally recognized professional hunters, special offers and a chance to win the “Once in a Lifetime Hunting Trip.”
In addition to free seminars and great deals on hunting gear, customers can also enter a sweepstakes to win the “Once in a Lifetime Helicopter Hunting Trip with Brian Pigman Quaca” with a retail value of approximately $9,000. Visit http://www.basspro.com/classic for details.
During the Fall Hunting Classic, nationally recognized professional hunters, local pros and outdoorsmen and women will conduct seminars at the stores and answer hunters’ questions.
Other special events offered at the Utica store location are:
• Aug. 2 - Bass Pro Shops Hunting University offers free classes taught by top pros. Nate Hosie, co-host of “HeadHunters,” will host a question and answer session from noon to 4 p.m. Bob Foulkrod, host of “Winchester Legends” and co-host of “100% Real Hunting,” will discuss “The Number One Thing You Should Know Before Going on Any Hunt” at 1 p.m.
• Aug. 9 – Women interested in learning how to hunt or to improve their hunting skills can attend a Women’s Hunting Workshop workshop with tips, resource information and advice.
• Aug. 9-10 – At the On Target Challenge, held in cooperation with Daisy, youths can learn 10 safety tips and the basics for safe, fun and accurate BB shooting at the Bass Pro Shops/Daisy BB shooting range. Seminars will be held at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. each day. Other activities for kids during Next Generation Weekend include an archery range from noon to 5 p.m. and fun craft coloring projects from noon to 4 p.m.
• Aug. 15-17 - Free seminars to be offered during Hunter Appreciation Weekend are: “Big Game Are All Around You” on Aug. 15 at 7 p.m.; “New Approaches to Fall Success” on Aug. 16-17 at 1 p.m.; “Tender Venison” on Aug. 16-17 at 2 p.m.; “Does Camo Pattern Really Matter?” on Aug. 16-17 at 3 p.m.; “Big Game Hunting Near Home” on Aug. 16-17 at 4 p.m. and “Integrate Your Game Camera With Mobile Devices” on Aug. 16-17 at 5 p.m.