Oxford Lions Club cancels perch derby; hopes to pass on torch
NEW BERLIN – After several years of weather uncertainty and dwindling club participation, the Oxford Lions Club announced Wednesday it will no longer be holding its annual Chenango Lake Perch Derby.
In an effort to ensure the tradition lives on, however, the Oxford Lions Club is seeking a non-profit organization to take over the derby.
"The weather has been unpredictable and we put a number of resources in it," said Oxford Lions Club President John Knapp. "When it gets cancelled, it kind of hurts us.
"And it pains me to say this, but our membership is not what it used to be. It takes a lot of people to run a village, and we just don't have the manpower to give the derby what it deserves to have."
Knapp said the Chenango Lake Perch Derby, which is typically held in February, began around 1974 with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. For many years, the derby was the Oxford Lions Club's premier fundraiser.
"The Oxford Lions Club would like to thank the area businesses and individuals that helped to make the derby a huge success," states a release from the Oxford Lions Club Perch Derby Committee. "At its height, the derby had as many as eight hundred registered fisherman."
Knapp said he would love for an organization with enough firepower to take on organizing the perch derby. If your organization is interested, Knapp asks that you send a letter of interest to Oxford Lions Club, P.O. Box 97, Oxford, NY 13830.
In an effort to ensure the tradition lives on, however, the Oxford Lions Club is seeking a non-profit organization to take over the derby.
"The weather has been unpredictable and we put a number of resources in it," said Oxford Lions Club President John Knapp. "When it gets cancelled, it kind of hurts us.
"And it pains me to say this, but our membership is not what it used to be. It takes a lot of people to run a village, and we just don't have the manpower to give the derby what it deserves to have."
Knapp said the Chenango Lake Perch Derby, which is typically held in February, began around 1974 with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. For many years, the derby was the Oxford Lions Club's premier fundraiser.
"The Oxford Lions Club would like to thank the area businesses and individuals that helped to make the derby a huge success," states a release from the Oxford Lions Club Perch Derby Committee. "At its height, the derby had as many as eight hundred registered fisherman."
Knapp said he would love for an organization with enough firepower to take on organizing the perch derby. If your organization is interested, Knapp asks that you send a letter of interest to Oxford Lions Club, P.O. Box 97, Oxford, NY 13830.
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