The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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  • Ripples run through Hickory Creek as Ryan Peters, 15, Neosho, tries his luck during the kids fishing derby at Morse Park as part of Saturday's Celebrate Neosho. Globe/Roger Nomer

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June 30, 2012

Celebrate Neosho draws crowds despite heat

eyounker@joplinglobe.com

NEOSHO, Mo. — When 6-year-old William Ball caught — and released — his first fish Saturday morning, he could hardly contain his excitement.

Nor could he resist telling anyone who was passing by his shady spot along Hickory Creek.

“I was over here, and I was just sitting there in my chair, and my mommy spotted a fish and cast it out there,” he said. “Then I reeled it in and I caught one — my first fish!”

Ball wasn’t the only one trying his luck at the creek Saturday; the shores in Morse Park were lined with fishing poles in a catch-and-release event that was part of Celebrate Neosho.

Ball’s mother, Amanda Dawson, of Goodman, had brought her son to the creek because she had thought — correctly, it turns out — that he would enjoy fishing.

“I love it, so I figured he’d love it, too,” she said. “He loves anything outside.”

Sabrina Jones, of Neosho, was fishing in another shady spot with her grandson, 5-year-old Logan Ward.

After having been along the creek for nearly two hours, they’d had a little bit of luck.

“He caught one that was an inch long, maybe two,” Jones said. “He was glad. He liked letting it go, too. He had a big smile.”

Gavin Rogers, 15, of Neosho, had caught and released at least five fish by mid-morning, and he snagged his sixth while fishing off a low bridge over the creek.

“I’ve grown up (fishing) ever since I was 2,” he said. “I just like the challenge of kind of like trying to persuade the fish to bite. It’s all about the action, I guess — what they like, patterns, where they’re at, and colors.”

Nicolas Olivares, of Neosho, and his 7-year-old son, Nicolas Jr., had a few bites after about an hour, but they hadn’t yet reeled anything in.

“The little fish come and eat his bite and then they leave, so he’s feeding the fish,” Olivares said.

His son, who said fishing is one of his favorite hobbies, didn’t seem to mind too much.

“I like it because there are lots of fish, and you pretty much have fun the whole time you’re fishing,” he said.

Joe Birner, of Neosho, and his 5-year-old son, Jackson, werent’ having much luck in what was their first fishing trip to Morse Park. But no matter — the pair planned to participate in the other Celebrate Neosho activities that were scheduled.

“We just thought we’d run around town today,” Birner said.

Just down the street from Morse Park, car show participants were showing off their classic rides on the square, which was baking under the sun as people sought out any shade they could find.

Jim and Cyndi Munsell, of Seneca, were showing “his and hers” vehicles: a yellow 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe that belonged to him and a red 1938 DeSoto Business Coupe that was hers.

Sitting in lawn chairs on the pavement next to their cars, the couple were keeping cool with umbrellas and icy bottles of water. Jim Munsell said he chose to participate in the Neosho car show over several other shows that were being held on the same day because Neosho’s was in the morning, when temperatures were slightly cooler.

“It’s something we can do as a couple,” said Munsell, who estimated he’d already visited with about 75 onlookers by midmorning. “We meet a lot of people; people are always coming up and asking a few questions.”

Other events

The day also included a five-kilometer run, a car and bike show on the square, and an air show and fireworks show at the Hugh Robinson Airport.

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