09/22/2026
🎣🔥 10th Anniversary Burlington Kids Fishing Derby — Final Derby of 2026
266 Fish • 132 Excited Kids • A Tradition Still Growing Strong
What a morning at Sylvan Lake for our final derby of the 2026 season.
Perfect weather, kids racing to the shoreline, families cheering, and a community that continues to show up year after year.
For 10 years, this derby has been driven by two people who bring their own strengths to the lake — Dawn, the organizer who puts every detail in place, and me, the guy with the fishing skills who keeps the kids reeling. And yes… Dawn DOES fish too — she just pretends she doesn’t so I don’t get jealous.🤣
Together, we’ve built a tradition that brings joy to our kids, families, and our community year after year.
🧒 Catch Count
• Red Armbands: 207
• Blue Armbands: 59
• Total: 266
• Biggest Catch: 23‑inch catfish — the star of the day
❤️ Township Leaders, Volunteers & Community Support
Burlington Township showed up strong from sunrise to finish:
• Mayor Pete Green — who has been taking photos since the very beginning, capturing a decade of memories
• Burlington Township Council — supporting our mission to bring kids outdoors from day one and showing up every single derby
• Township & City Police Departments
• Township Public Works
• Endeavor Emergency Squad
•Burlington County Sheriff’s Department
• Our incredible Volunteers
•United States Air Force 87th Logistics Readiness Squadron
City of Burlington, Mayor Conaway joined us to help close out the final derby of the season.
🌭 Breakfast Hotdogs, Donuts & Snacks — 288 Served!
Township Police cooked the best breakfast HOTDOGS, and council helped deliver 288 hotdogs, donuts, and snacks right to the kids.
And in true Burlington style — Township Police delivered hotdogs to the kids at the lake, making sure every child got a meal with a smile.
🛠️ Public Works Appreciation
Township Public Works had the lake ready before dawn — clean, safe, and perfect for the kids.
🚑 Endeavor EMTs
Steady, calm, and always appreciated.
🤝 Major Sponsors
Township & City of Burlington
Township FOP #84 • City FOP #63
Burlington Chevrolet
Zebco Poles
Eagle Claw Hooks & Split Shots
Comal Bobbers
Bass Pro Shops
New Vision Pioneers – Downstate Chapter 81
Colonial Burlington Foundation / Wood Street Fair
US Air Force 87th Logistics Readiness Squadron
Chick‑fil‑A — meals for all the kids
JB Bakery — fresh donuts that disappeared instantly
🎣 A Milestone We’re Proud Of
Over 1,400 rods and reels given to our kids
A decade of putting fishing gear directly into the hands of Burlington’s youth — building confidence, creating memories, and opening the door to the outdoors.
🎉 A Day That Matters
A day of first fish.
A day of big catches and bigger smiles.
A day of community, tradition, and pride.
A day built by sponsors, volunteers, officers, leaders —
and by two people who love this town: James & Dawn.
📅 See You Next Year
The final derby of 2026 closed out our 10th anniversary season with heart, joy, and community pride.
We can’t wait to do it all again.
****More pictures coming too
Pictures taken by Pete Green
