Welcome to Deer Lakes Park!
Sponsored by
Western Pennsylvania Bass Association
Each summer Variety the Children’s Charity hosts its annual fishing tournament and family picnic for Variety’s kids and families at Deer Lakes Park in Tarentum, PA.
Thanks to our partnership with the Western PA Bass Association (WPBA) and our sponsor Lock 3 Bait and Tackle, Variety’s children and their families come together in friendship and camaraderie on a Sunday afternoon for fun in the sun and fishing. The WPBA anglers and other volunteers help Variety’s kids with baiting their hooks, casting their rods, untangling their fishing lines, and getting their wheelchairs up to the water’s edge.
All children receive a special “Angler of the Year” ribbon, and trophies are awarded in two age categories for largest and smallest fish caught!
Variety’s fishing tournament is FREE to Variety families. Lunch and face painting are also provided.
On Sunday, July 25, more than 76 kids and family members braved the rain at this year’s fishing tournament. The inclement weather did not dampen the spirits of our anglers as they reeled in their “catch” for the day. On hand to help the kids were our friends from the WPBA and Junior League of Pittsburgh. Lani Cataldi from Have Party Will Travel returned and worked her face painting magic to the delight of the kids. Eat’n Park provided Smiley® Face cookies for dessert, and fun was had by all!
Age group 14 & under
1st place largest fish caught (9 in.) – Marisa Eckels
2nd place largest fish caught (8 in.) – Ariel Cornell
3rd place largest fish caught (6 in.) – Emily Racioppo
Age group 15 & older
1st place largest fish caught (13 in.) – Tommy Kendrick
2nd place largest fish caught (6.5 in.) – Chrissy Lakowsky
3rd place largest fish caught (6 in.) – Evan Buchheit
Age group 14 & under
1st place smallest fish caught (4 in.) – Kaitlin Laskowsky
2nd place smallest fish caught (4.5 in.) – Shane Robertson
3rd place smallest fish caught (5 in.) – Jacob Buchheit
Age group 15 & older
1st place smallest fish caught (3.5 in.) – Jessie Carpon
2nd place smallest fish caught (5 in.) – Blair Eckels
3rd place smallest fish caught (5.5 in.) – Calvin Cornell
Please click here for Directions to Deer Lakes Park.
For additional information or questions, please contact Sandra Thompson at 412-747-2680 or sandra@varietypittsburgh.org.
We’re always looking for volunteers to help us with children’s programs. If you have the time and energy to volunteer, it’s a great way to show your support for Variety’s kids with disabilities. Please complete our volunteer interest form to get involved.