Despite not getting a bite, Andrew Myers said he was having a good time fishing in Waller Park's duck pond Sunday because he simply enjoys the sport.

“It's just fun,” Andrew, 8, of Orcutt said.

An avid fisher with the Boy Scouts, Andrew joined hundreds of other kids from the Central Coast Sunday in the 4th annual Huck Finn Fishing Derby, a part of the YMCA's Family Day in the Park.

The Rotary Club of Santa Maria Breakfast and California Fish and Game Department joined to stock the park's pond with more than 250 catfish and provided fishing equipment and bait for the participants.

At $3 a ticket, organizers hoped the event would raise at least $1,200 throughout the day, said Eddie Stanfield of the rotary club.

“This is a really fun and successful event,” he said.

With her fishing rod dangling in the water, Sydney McCune, 6, of Orcutt waited anxiously for a tug on the line.

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“I don't think there's anything really in here, because I haven't seen anybody get anything,” she said with a sigh.

Her grandparents took Sydney and her younger brother to the park to enjoy a fun afternoon together.

“Their mother thought it would be fun, and it really has been,” said Lorraine Vavra of Westminster.

Andrew's mother, Gosia Myers, said she agreed that the fishing derby was the perfect event for local families.

“We love fishing and this is a great family-oriented event.”

Hundreds of people also played games, visited various demonstrations and ate Santa Maria style-barbecue as part of the YMCA's Family Day. Safety officers from the Santa Maria Police Department, California Highway Patrol and Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department had trucks and cars on display to teach children safety lessons.

At one of the carnival games, Logan Passmore, 3, of Santa Maria hit a hole-in-one and was awarded with a big piece of candy.

“I like it. I saw a football and went on the slide,” Logan said.

His father, Josh Passmore, said the young family was having a good afternoon as they tried everything Logan wanted to do, including the trampoline and large blow-up slides.

Grabbing a long line of eager customers, Terry McConnell of Santa Maria drew charactures and portraits of many people, and said he was happy to be supporting such a great cause.

“This is just so much fun and I'm happy the proceeds go to the YMCA,” he said.

Randi Block can be reached at 347-4580 or rblock@lompoc

record.com.

Aug. 21, 2006