Approximately 260 eighth grade students from Sabine Parish schools attended an Education Day at Cypress Bend Park on February 2. The Sabine Parish Tourist Commission (SPTC) hosted this event as an effort to engage the community with the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour on Toledo Bend.
The idea to host this special event was inspired by festivals in the area that also hold an Education Day. The SPTC team felt that having these professional anglers competing on Toledo Bend was a perfect opportunity to engage the youth of the community and educate them on the sport of bass fishing and the history of Toledo Bend Lake. Meredith Matt, a former college intern and now part time employee at the SPTC, led the efforts in coordinating this event from start to finish. Matt developed a schedule of the day where students rotated through 8 different stations to learn about various topics including the history of Toledo Bend, lake ecology, casting techniques, fish identification, boat safety, diving, and general safety.
This event was enthusiastically supported by the community and the MLF organization. Volunteers from the area gave their time to be presenters at each of the stations as well as help the event run smoothly. Tasty Treats on the Bend donated ice cream for everyone that was thoroughly enjoyed. MLF pro anglers Justin Cooper, Cliff Crochet, and Ott Defoe, supported the event on their off day of the tournament to interact with the students and help make it memorable. The SPTC extends special thanks to the Toledo Bend Lake Association, Sabine Council on Aging, Toledo Bend Resort Ministries, Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, West Louisiana Scuba, Living the Dream Guide Service, Hunter Lewing, Desoto Parish Tourist Commission, all local volunteers, and the MLF organization for their significant efforts as well.
For more information on the events that surrounded the MLF Bass Pro Tour on Toledo Bend and the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission’s upcoming events, please visit www.ToledoBend-LakeCountry.com.