Senior Derby set for Wednesday, Sept. 13 at River’s Edge

Your help is needed to make this annual event a success.  Just show up before 9 a.m. Wednesday and we'll find you something fun and rewarding to do.  

For the first time, The Loveland Fishing Club’s annual Senior Derby will be held at Loveland’s River’s Edge Natural Area.  More than 160 residents of the city’s assisted living centers and other seniors signed up through Chilson Senior Center are expected to attend, an all-time high for an event held annually since 2011. 

The derby will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13 on ponds at River’s Edge, at  960 West 1^st St, with fishing followed by a cookout.  Club members will serve as guides for participating anglers, provide a campfire and offer prizes for participants. Other seniors are welcome to attend the free event, but only pre-registered guests will be eligible to compete.  The fishing derby has previously been held at Flatiron Reservoir. 

“Flatiron is not available to us this year due to dam repairs,” says the event founder and organizer, Ray Park.  “The City of Loveland has really stepped up to allow this special day to continue. 

Because of the shift to River’s Edge, the club is incurring additional expense this year for things like port-a-potties and carts to help guests get around the natural area, but all expenses will continue to be absorbed by the club, due in part to grants from the IBM Corporation.

As in year's past, this is one of the club's premier volunteer activities, and all members are encouraged to show up and help.  

The club is covering all expenses associated with the event, including poles, bait and tackle.  There will be a prize drawing for all guests, and prizes for the biggest and smallest fish brought in, oldest female and oldest male anglers, and “craziest fishing hat.”  

Following are the senior facilities scheduled to participate in this year’s derby:  

·                  Brookdale-Fort Collins

·                  Brookdale-Marianna

·                  Brookdale-North

·                  Chilson Senior Center

·                  Courtyards of Loveland

·                  Good Samaritan Loveland

·                  Harvest Pointe

·                  Hillcrest

·                  Lakeview Commons

·                  Memory Care at Seven Lakes

·                  Mirasol Senior Living Community

·                  Park Regency-Loveland

·                  Sugar Valley Estates

·                  The Wexford