54th Annual Smelt Derby Family Festival Feb. 23

Get out your fishing poles and lace up your running shoes. The La Conner Rotary Club’s 54th annual Smelt Derby Family Festival and Smelt Run are coming up on Saturday, Feb. 23.

“Our club has been working hard on the festival and fishing derby with something for everyone,” festival coordinator Patsy Good said. “And we have been partnering with Kelly Harper of the La Conner schools on the Run, which will benefit their booster club as well as our club’s community projects.”

Kick things off with a pancake breakfast at Maple Hall from 8-11 a.m. Prices are $7 for adults or $3 for kids 10 and under. Or work up an appetite first with the Smelt Run. Proceeds from the breakfast benefit the La Conner senior class.

Register on-line at skagitvalleyrunning.com or between 7:30 and 8:45 a.m. before the race at the La Conner High School gym. Cost is $30 for the 5K and 10K, free for the Kids Dash. Kids Dash starts at 8:45, 5K and 10K runs at 9 a.m. T-shirts are $15. Awards will be presented immediately following the conclusion of the race. Race proceeds benefit the La Conner Booster Club and help support Rotary programs.

Meanwhile, back downtown, fishing will take place at the town docks from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Judging will begin promptly at 1 p.m. with a $100 prize for first place.

If fishing isn’t your thing, try your hand at making fish prints from 9 a.m. until noon at Maple Hall, where you can also pick up entries for a treasure hunt around town. “Last year was the first year for this event and we got a lot of positive feedback from family’s that they really enjoyed the Treasure Hunt,” Good said.