Photo by Jake Przytarski Brent Alms helps hold up a fish caught by Riley Alms during Saturday’s Walnut Grove Loggers Fishing Derby on Lake Laura.

WALNUT GROVE — The shores of Lake Laura in Walnut Grove was lined with eager young anglers this past Saturday for the annual Walnut Grove Loggers Fishing Derby for children 12 and under.

This year’s derby held in scenic Plum Creek Park marked the 29th year that the event has taken place, thanks to the work of the Walnut Grove Loggers. The Walnut Grove Loggers is a nonprofit organization that has a gambling license that is used to raise money for the community. Funds are generated through pull tabs, bingo and raffles.

Shanaya Albertson of the Walnut Grove Loggers said this year’s event was a major success with 29 kids entered in the derby.

“It’s going really well. There’s 29 kids so far, so I’d say it’s a pretty good turnout,” said Albertson. “There was a lot of kids that were really excited when they got here.”

Adding extra excitement to the derby were neat prizes offered to the winners by day’s end.

“We split them into two (groups) and then there’s a prize for the younger (group) and a prize for the older. They’ll get fishing poles, and then everybody here will get a little tacklebox for participation and a shirt,” Albertson said.