CULLMAN, Ala.- The Refuge Church in East Point, Alabama, off Highway 278, hosted their annual Fishing Rodeo Saturday morning. The rodeo kicked off at 8 a.m. with separate age groups competing for the Biggest Fish and Most Weight categories. These boys and girls were broken into three groups ranging from ages 1-5, ages 6-10 and ages 11-15.
“We have been doing this for the past twenty years and the past five here at The Refuge, and there’s no end in sight. The kids love it, the parents love it and we love doing it all for them. It puts a smile on my face every time one of these kids runs up here to weigh a fish they caught. They are so proud.”, said Tim Dubberly, pastor of The Refuge Church, and just one of the several dedicated individuals that makes this event happen each year.
The children competed in hourly slots from 8 a.m. – 9 a.m., 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Though the morning was cool, but the smiles were bright as they all crowded around to hear the overall winners announced. For the girls, Sydney Mann took home both Biggest Fish and Most Weight. As for the boys, Hudson Dubberly won Biggest Fish, while Dylan Moore won Most Weight.
As the people gathered, drinks were iced, chips laid out and friers set alight. Every year after the competition, a large fish fry is put together by the members of The Refuge to feed everyone in attendance.
The largest record of attendance for this event has been between 50-60 children.
“We just want people to be able to come out, sit back and have a great time for a little while. That is the goal,” said one congregation member. “This community goes above and beyond to take care of, and love it’s children and isn’t that what it is all about?”
