September 17, 2009
Gary Davidson
Public Information Office

CHARITY FISHING TOURNAMENT RETURNS TO NEW SMYRNA BEACH

It will be fun in the sun, with food, music, vendors, raffles and more anglers than you can shake a rod at competing for cash prizes. But the real winners will be the children of Florida when the charity Battle of the Badges Inshore Fishing Tournament returns to New Smyrna Beach this weekend. Now in its third year, proceeds from the popular annual festival benefit the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. “This is a great event that has something for everyone of all ages,” said the tournament host, Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson. “But more important than all of the fun, the money we raise will mean a brighter future for the youth of Florida. This is great fun for a great cause.”

Final registration for the fishing tournament will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday. For registered anglers, the fun begins at 6 p.m. on Friday with a captains dinner and rules meeting immediately afterwards. The fishing will begin bright and early Saturday morning, with the tournament weigh-in taking place between 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday at Riverside Park in New Smyrna Beach. In addition to Sheriff Johnson, other notables scheduled to fish in the tournament include Nassau County Sheriff Tommy Seagraves, retired Lake County Sheriff Noel Griffin, Jr., Sheriffs Youth Ranches President Roger Bouchard and several local media personalities. For those not participating in the tournament, activities at the park get under way at 10 a.m. with food booths, vendors, a car and boat show, midway games, raffles, law enforcement demonstrations and a children’s fishing clinic. Free fishing poles will be given away to the first 300 children.

After the weigh-in, the fun moves to the after-party at Pub 44, 1889 W. Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach. Featured activities there include a public safety olympic challenge and live music by country artists Whiskey Basin and Jim Van Fleet & The Reign. Residents also can take a chance on several big-ticket raffle items, including original artwork by renowned artist Barry Barnett, a spa and several hotel and theme park packages. The awards presentation for the fishing tournament also will take place at the after-party, as anglers compete for the top prize of $1,000. A full listing of all of the day’s activities along with the tournament rules and registration forms can be located on the event web site, www.badgebattle.com. “I’m extremely appreciative of all the support from the community as well as the sponsors and participants who are helping to put on this event,” added Sheriff Johnson. “For everyone involved, this has truly been a labor love.”

All of the money raised by the event goes to support the Youth Ranches, which operates an assortment of community-based residential care, family counseling, camping programs and foster care for neglected, abused and at-risk children throughout Florida. The Youth Ranches has served more than 106,000 children in its 52-year history. And it couldn’t do it without community support and the financial assistance from events like the Battle of the Badges Inshore Fishing Tournament, according to the organization’s president. “Sheriff Johnson and the members of the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office have once again gone the extra mile to help the boys and girls of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches,” said Bouchard. “Working together with so many generous sponsors and citizens, the fishing tournament will provide much needed financial support for the children in our care. Now, more than ever, we are grateful for this gift.”