Groups come together for kids' fishing rodeo in Zemurray Park (2025)

A perfect blue, cloudless sky, a hint of slightly cooler weather on an early fall day, and the chance to possibly catch a few fish all combined to make a success of Andy’s Fishing Rodeo for Kids at Hammond’s Zemurray Park on Sept. 28.

Several hundred children, accompanied by parents and other family members, accepted already rigged fishing poles and bait and then fanned out around the lake in a quest to snag a few fish that just might have been worthy of winning one of a number of prizes that were given out at the end of the event.

The children’s fishing rodeo was sponsored by the Children’s Church in the Park, a nondenominational, nonprofit group that holds events to benefit children in the community.

James Harris, president of Kid’s Church in the Park, said the group tries "to satisfy the physical and what we call the 'heart' needs of all children in the community. Through events such as our fishing rodeo, we offer children the opportunity to come to the park for a day of fun, fellowship and friendship.

"We want the children, and members of their families, to know that we care and are doing what we can to brighten the lives of children in our community,” he added.

The fishing rodeo is named for Andy, a baby who died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Harris said his family has been generous in supporting the mission of the Children’s Church in the Park.

“Our fishing rodeo is a great family event and an opportunity to bring people out on a beautiful day to enjoy something that brings the community together," Harris said. "It’s all about the children but their parents, family members and friends enjoy the day just as much.”

Assisting the fishing rodeo was the Transport Ministries, a group that provided free jambalaya, hot dogs and other treats. Transport Ministries is a nonprofit charitable organization that was established in the later part of 2019.

The organization was formed as a result of hurricanes and other natural disasters that affected hundreds of thousands of people. The group has large trucks to transport commodities from churches and organizations to impacted areas.

James Sparacello, founder of the group, lost his home, vehicles and belongings in Hurricane Andrew. Assistance that he and his family received in that disaster supped him to help others so he began Transport Ministries.

Cretin Townsend Homes, of Hammond, donated 300 fishing poles for the young anglers who quickly claimed their lucky pole.

“We started the fishing rodeo last year and it was such a success that we decided to do it again this year and looking at the people we have here today, it makes us want to keep on offering a fishing adventure for the kids in the future,” Harris said.