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Riverside Events
Fishing Tournament @ Riverside Park
Postponed
The Fishing Tournament @ Riverside Park scheduled for May 19th & 20th has been postponed to Friday and Saturday, June 2nd and 3rd.
The Parks and Recreation staff has reviewed the river levels for the upcoming weekend’s tournament and determined to postpone the event for the safety of the participants. The Colorado River normally flows around 300 cfs (cubic feet per second), but due to the heavy rains in central Texas the river is currently flowing at 22,270 cfs. It is expected to crest on Wednesday, May 18th at 28.5 feet and 28,000 cfs.
“When the river is high, most of our beach goes underwater” said Robert Carlisle, Park Ranger at Riverside. “It’s also a lot harder to launch a boat and the chances of catching fish in the murky swift water is greatly reduced”. Putting the event off for a couple of weeks should allow the park to return to normal and make the event more enjoyable for all, weather permitting.
On a positive note, the new date falls on free fishing day, which is on June 3, 2023 when the first Saturday in June of each year, everyone can fish recreationally without licenses or endorsements. However, you will need a license if you plan to fish on Friday.
Whatever it is that you want to do – Go Wild @ Riverside Park!
Fishing Tournament @ Riverside Park
It’s a sport, a hobby, a profession, a skill! Fishing crosses all gender, cultural, and economic lines. For some, it’s about catching the biggest fish, for others it’s the quantity. The adrenaline rush and pride when a line is pulled in is the same either way.
Bay City Parks and Recreation is bringing back the annual Fishing Tournament at Riverside Park on May 19th & 20th. The tournament is open to all ages. Competitors are divided into three age categories: Kid Fish (10 & under); Youth Fish (11 – 17); Adults (18 & older) with prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each age group.
“Fishing builds confidence, improves coordination, teaches patience, and encourages an appreciation of nature,” said Kelly Penewitt, Parks and Recreation Manager. “This tournament is a great way to introduce or re-introduce our residents to healthier lifestyles and decrease screen time – at least for a little while.”
Check-in is from 12 noon – 7 p.m. on Friday, May 19th and 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 20th at Riverside Park’s Ranger Station. The fishing boundaries are the Colorado River from the Bay City Dam to the Intercoastal Waterway with the put in at Riverside Park.
Weigh-Station will be from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Friday night and 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday at Riverside’s Tejas Pavilion. Final Weigh in is at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Awards Ceremony is at 5 p.m.
Game Fish: Kid Fish – Alligator Gar, Catfish, Red Fish, Perch, Fresh Water Drum and Crappie; Youth Fish and Adult - Alligator Gar, Catfish and Red Fish.
Entry Fees:
Kid Fish: $15/person
Youth Fish: $25/person
Adults: $45/person; Seniors (65 & older) Active Military/Veteran (must show ID) $5 discount
Overnight campsites can be reserved for $40 in Colorado Cove (water, sewer and electric) or $35 in Wilderness Area (water and electric)
Fishing Tournament Rules
4th Annual Riverside Smoke Off
And the Winners Are:
With 19 teams and 88 entries competing in 8 categories and 17 youth participating in the Kid’s Cook categories it was an EXTREMELY tough decision by the judges to decide the best BBQ in the 4th annual Riverside Smoke Off.
The winners are (drum roll…)
Best Decorated Site Let It Burn
Crawfish – Boiled (new 2023 category)
1st Place VVleck Smokers
2nd Place Chillin’ & Grillin’
Crawfish – Other (new 2023 category)
1st Place VVleck Smokers - Crawfish Mac-n-Cheese
2nd Place Chillin’ & Grillin’- Crawfish Cornbread
Beans
1st Place Smoked Out Cookers
2nd Place Echale Cookers
3rd Place It’s A Family Thing
Dutch Oven Sweet
1st Place Backyard Cookers - Pecan Cheesecake
2nd Place Chillin’ & Grillin’ - Carmel Apple Cheesecake
3rd Place Echale Cookers - Banana Cake
Chef’s Choice
1st Place Come & Taste It - Wagyu Brisket Egg Rolls
2nd Place Hot Sauce - Pork Loin with Apples
3rd Place 3 Little Pigs - Jalapeno Poppers
Chicken
1st Place Come & Taste It
2nd Place Gittin’ Saucy
3rd Place Smokem 1
Ribs
1st Place Gettin’ Saucy
2nd Place Smokem 1
3rd Place Hot Sauce
Brisket
1st Place Smokem 1
2nd Place Smoked Out
3rd Place Let It Burn
Kid’s Cook – Ribeye Steak Category
Ages 5 – 8 years
1st Place Credence Robles
2nd Place Ezra Ryman
3rd Place Colin Page
Ages 9 – 12 years
1st Place Joel Escamilla
2nd Place Credan Robles
3rd Place Liam Faulkner
Kid’s Cook – Ribs Category
Ages 13 – 17 years
1st Place Kaden Gray
2nd Place Abby Escamilla
3rd Place Christian Cruz
Thank you to our judges who had an EXTREMELY difficult time deciding on the winners in each category – Shawna Burkhart, David Burkhart, Blayne Finlay, Bobby Seiferman, Jason Sanders, Shawn Blackburn, Louanna Blackburn, Patti McKelvy, Dan Shook, Karen Penewitt, Daren Penewitt, Terry Smith, Chris Hadash, Haylee Crowley, Ricky Bort, Chanelle Bort, Alyssa Sanders, Matt Martinez, Brittany Cartwright, Richard Cartwright and Kristopher Carter.
Mark your calendars for the 5th annual Riverside Smoke Off – March 22nd and 23rd, 2024. Registration begins October 1st, 2023.
Whatever it is that you want to do – Go Wild @ Riverside Park!
How to Register
There are 3 ways to register:
- On-line at https://www.cityofbaycity.org/190/Parks-Recreation. Click on the Events and Programs button
- The Riverside Park Office, Sunday – Saturday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- The Parks and Recreation Office (1209 10th Street), Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Want More Information
Contact Riverside Park at 979-245-0340 or via e-mail at riversidepark@cityofbaycity.org, or the Parks and Recreation Office at 979-323-1660 or via e-mail at parksrec@cityofbaycity.org