ESCANABA — The Kids Fishing Day Team will be celebrating the 33rd anniversary of its annual Kids Fishing Day this year.

The day full of fun, fishing and families will be Saturday at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Pocket Park, located on the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds in Escanaba.

Registration will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Eastern time and the event will run until 3 p.m. All activities are free of charge and open to youth ages 16 years old and younger.

“We are excited to again hold our fishing event at the Pocket Park,” said Brenda Madden, longtime Kids Fishing Day team member and organizer. “It offers plenty of space for the traditional fun favorites at Kids Fishing Day and the Pocket Park offers a beautiful natural-like setting right in the middle of Escanaba.”

Familiar activities returning include bluegill fishing, minnow races and face painting, along with free food and prizes.

In addition, Smokey Bear will be wandering the grounds. There will also be a scavenger hunt and opportunities for kids to learn how to shoot at Pocket Park’s archery and pellet gun ranges.

This year’s Kids Fishing Day event will be held in conjunction with the DNR’s free fishing weekend. Camping is available on the fairgrounds. Contact the Delta County Chamber of Commerce.

The DNR Pocket Park is closest to Gate No. 1 at the fairgrounds, which can be accessed from 12th Avenue North.

Event partners include the Bay de Noc Great Lakes Sports Fishermen Inc., Michigan DNR and the U.S. Forest Service’s Hiawatha National Forest. The Kids Fishing Day team extends a special thank you to all the volunteers, as this event would not be possible without them.

For more information or to volunteer to help at the event, call 906-286-1348.