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SPRINGFIELD- It must be spring because the whale has returned to Five Mile Pond. Not a real whale of course, but the familiar sign on Boston Road signaling this year's Family Fishing Festival. Now in its 19th year, the festival serves as memorial to Yolanda "Yollie" Nahorniak's late husband and son and is sponsored by the Pine Point Community Council, Inc., and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife's Aquatic Resource Education Program. Yolanda's husband Joseph, an avid fisherman, wanted to see Five Mile Pond restored as a recreational area and worked with others to see it cleaned up. She explained to Reminder Publications that after his death she wanted to pay tribute to him in a way he would have enjoyed. For the past 18 years, Yolanda and her fellow members of the Pine Point Council have been organizing the event. This year's festival is on May 20 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Yolanda said that she encourages families to come and for parents to stay and enjoy the day with their children. All children under 10 must be accompanied by their parents. No fishing license is required that day. There will be raffle prizes and free food supplied by the Boston Road Domino's Pizza and McDonald's restaurant as well as Big Y World Class markets. The Springfield Parks department, the Massachusetts Environmental Police and the A.L. Cignoli Company, gives additional support for the event. "Everybody has been so good to me," she said of her sponsors. Although there is a limited amount of tackle available, Yolanda advises people to bring their own poles. About 1,000 people regularly turn out for the event, she said. This may be the last year of the event, she added due to financial concerns. When asked if she fishes at the festival herself, she replied with a laugh, "I'm too busy telling everyone what to do!" For more information, call 732-1072. |
