CARTERVILLE, Ill. (HEARTLAND NEWS) — A longtime southern Illinois tradition returns to John A. Logan College this weekend, bringing two days of hunting, fishing, outdoor education and family activities to campus.
The Southern Illinois Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Days is set for Saturday, Sept. 26, and Sunday, Sept. 27. Now in its 39th year, the event is expected to feature more than 70 vendors along with demonstrations, seminars and activities for children and adults.
Organizers have spent the week preparing the campus, with tents already going up ahead of the weekend. Even though construction continues at John A. Logan College, organizers say the celebration will maintain much of its familiar footprint.
Popular attractions returning this year include Dock Dogs, the Kids’ Fishing Hole and a BB gun range. New activities include a portable skating rink and a rock-climbing wall provided by Touch of Nature.
Steve O’Keefe, assistant vice president for marketing, public relations and communications at John A. Logan College, said the event has maintained a focus on introducing young people to the outdoors throughout its history.
“The whole intention of this event over the past 39 years has been giving youth the opportunity to experience the outdoors, and maybe they don’t normally get that chance,” O’Keefe said.
However, one familiar attraction will look a little different this year.
Hoffard Pond was recently dredged, and more than 500 fish from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources were placed in the pond Thursday morning.
The college will also use the weekend to remember Dwight Hoffard, a longtime John A. Logan College director of Buildings and Grounds who played a major role in bringing Hunting and Fishing Days to the campus and helping the event grow.
Hoffard passed away in March; he was a member of the Illinois Conservation Foundation’s Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame.
The pond was named in his honor after his retirement, and college officials will hold a rededication ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday with Hoffard’s family and others who worked alongside him.
“He was so instrumental in this, and he was all about youth in the outdoors,” O’Keefe said. “So to be able to honor him again is really special to us.”
Hoffard Pond will once again serve as the Kids’ Fishing Hole during the celebration.
Groups including local Boy Scouts and the Sesser Outdoor Club help with the event. Heartland Boy Scouts will collect food donations during the weekend, with the donations going to area food banks.
The event is free to attend. Parking costs $5 per vehicle.
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