STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — It’s been a Staten Island summer holiday tradition for a whopping 96 years!
The Zimmer Club hosts a free Huck Finn Fishing Tournament and Costume Contest at Willowbook Park near the Carousel for All Children on Eton Place in celebrtatiion of the Fourth of July.
The event is open to children 5 through 14.
Fishing poles and bait are provided at the event and trophies are awarded to winners.
Parents and children with Assemblyman Michael Reilly, fourth from left, and Vincent Montagna, right. (Courtesy/Zimmer Club)Staten Island Advance
The Costume Contest that’s designed so that boys and girls come dressed as one of the three main characters from the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn -- Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher — is another big hit.
This year’s event saw 80 youngsters, who were presented with a bamboo pole that they could take home with them and a cup of worms for bait, fished in the pond for the two-hour tournament.
“It was a wonderful experience judging by the excitement, and often a first time at baiting a hook and catching a fish for many of them,” said Mark Yuknek, president of the Zimmer Club Youth Conservation Program, who announced winners for the First Fish, Most Fish and Largest Fish in both the Boys and Girls categories.
More than 80 participants enjoyed the day. (Courtesy/Zimmer Club)Staten Island Advance
Congrats to winners
Girls: 1st Fish - Francesca Javier, age 11, Largest Fish - 11-1/2 inches, Francesca Javier, 11 and Most Fish - 6, Grace Marants, 9.
Boys: 1st Fish - Stephen Barbarino, 13, Largest Fish - 9-1/2 inches, Patrick Jessnik, 12, and Most Fish - 6, Stephen Barbarino
Zimmer Club costume contest winners and club officials. (Courtesy/Zimmer Club)(Courtesy/Zimmer Club)
Costume Contest winners
Becky Thatcher: Giuliana Colletta - First Place, 5, Huck Finn: Nicholas Carrasco - First Place, 12 and Tom Sawyer, Lilla Maselli - First Place, 13.
Michael and Matthew Parente winners in a new category - 4th of July Spirit
Honorable Mention in Costume Contest:
Giovani Maltezo, 5, Huck Finn, Grace Marants, 9, Becky Thatcher
A young participant enjoys the day. (Courtesy/Zimmer Club)Staten Island Advance
Event Organizers
Mark Yuknek - Zimmer Club Youth Conservation Program, president, Anthony Gulemmo, Zimmer Club Youth Conservation Program, Director of Youth Programs, John Donohue, Zimmer Club Youth Conservation Program, Education Director and Carmine Muscarella, Andrew Zimmer Fish and Game Protection Association, president.
Those interested programs offered by the Zimmer Club can find more info at zcysi.org or follow on Instagram (@zcysiconservation) and Facebook (AE Zimmer)
A proud youngster shows off his fish. (Courtesy/Zimmer Club)Staten Island Advance
A LITTLE ABOUT THE ZIMMER CLUB
This is the 96th year that the Andrew Zimmer Conservation Club has been providing free programs for adults and children.
The Andrew Zimmer Youth Conservation Program sponsors this free event run by members of the Andrew Zimmer Fish and Game Conservation Association of Staten Island.
The Youth Club is a 501C(3) organization which offers free programs and events for boys and girls that are centered on outdoor recreation, life skills and conservation of our natural environment.
A young participant shows off her catch. (Courtesy/Zimmer Club)Staten Island Advance
The Huck Finn Fishing Tournament and Costume Contest included grandparents who attended in their youth who are now coming out with their grandchildren similar to the Travis 4th of July parade and a prelude event to the parade.
THE ORIGINS OF THE ZIMMER CLUB
In 1926, the “Zimmer Club” was founded on Staten Island by Andrew E. Zimmer whose passion was to preserve Staten Island for the community and for future generations.
Zimmer grew up on his family farm located on Richmond Avenue by Fresh Kills where he enjoyed the outdoors — cabbing, fishing, and hunting. The farmland is now part of the Staten Island Mall.
Zimmer became Staten Island’s original conservationist and New York State appointed him as the first Environment Conservation Officer registered in Richmond County.
A teen participates in the fishing contest. (Courtesy/Zimmer Club)Staten Island Advance
In 1928, he and 11 of his friends, submitted paperwork to New York State for a Certificate of Incorporation. They formally became the Andrew E. Zimmer Association Inc. People continued to call the Organization the “Zimmer Club.”
The 501(c)7 membership Organization meet twice a month, pay dues, and hold various family dinners, and other functions. Members are over 21 years of age with the exception of its Intern Program for college age students.
The primary objective is the conservation, protection, and preservation of wildlife on Staten Island and in the great outdoors.
The Zimmer Club hosts various New York State, Sportsman Education Safe Boating and Driver Safety certification classes. The clubhouse venue is defined as a “community facility” for various community and not for profit groups who need assistance.