KIDS FISHING TOURNAMENT A HUGE SUCCESS
The 2014 Mountain Music Kids Fishing tournament held at Douglas Dam TVA launch ramp was an over whelming success. The tournament has been held for 24 years for kids and is one of the largest kid’s fishing tournaments in the country, conducted solely by contributions and donations from business’s and individuals. All the money raised for the event goes to providing each child a prize for competing in the tournament. Cash prizes are awarded to each kid who weighs a fish, ranging from $100.00 to $1000.00 and a trophy for largest fish caught. A total of 69 kids caught fish out a whopping 317 registered boats who fished in 90 degree plus weather on Douglas Lake. The kids who did not weigh a fish still received prizes from fishing rods to bicycles for competing in the event.
Stanley Jackson, Director and Organizer of the tournament for 24 years said “this year’s tournament exceeded all expectations for being one of the most successful tournaments ever held.” Nine year old Wyatt Crippen, from Dandridge, was this year’s winner of the tournament and received $1000.00 plus a trophy. This years win by Wyatt is very special for us at Mountain Music, said Jackson. Wyatt has been diagnosed with Benign Pilocytic Astrocytoma, a disabling brain tumor. David Crippen, Wyatt’s father said Wyatt has had several major surgeries and cannot compete in sports, and fishing is really the only sport he can be a part of. When the organizer’s of the tournament heard this, they started trying to find Wyatt a boat and fishing partner and teamed him with Skylar Hamilton from Dandridge, Tennessee. Hamilton said “Wyatt is a great kid and was a good fisherman and fished hard all day”. As a result, they were able to win the tournament with 8 lbs, 39 ounces. Rumor through out the event had Wyatt as the winner, but no one knew the winner until 68 names were called and awarded their prizes. When Wyatt’s name was called, a crowd of several thousand spectators and participant’s cheered and applauded as Wyatt accepted his trophy with many teary eyed spectators and event organizer’s watching. Director Stanley Jackson said, ” This is the inspiration and drive that has kept me going all these years putting on these tournaments and this is probably the most gratifying of all them all.”
Wyatt’s personal story concerning his conflicts and triumphs with his disease can be found on his Facebook Page,” Warriors for Wyatt”. As a result of his facebook page, he has collected over 20,000 members. “This is my first year as a volunteer in assisting with the tournament”, said Garry Cate and it is unbelievable how this thing transformed in a matter of hours at the event site, which included setting up a large stage, to cooking for thousands for people both dinner and supper at the event. With the number of people participating, there were no emergencies or incidents reported with the exception of one bee sting. Cate said it was pretty amazing how the tournament was organized.
Jackson also would like to thank all the business’s and individuals who donated their time and resources for the tournament. He is anticipating and hoping for a great 2015 tournament. For information and event activities, go to Facebook Page, Mountain Music Kids Fishing Tournament. Jackson would also like to encourage people to visit Wyatt’s facebook page and support Wyatt Crippen if at all possible.
