For Immediate Release
1/6/2012
Whitney Point, NY - It is with regret that the Whitney Point Sportsmen’s Association and the Broome County Department of Parks and Recreation announce the cancellation of the 2012 Almost-Annual New York State Crappie Derby. The above-average temperatures of December and mild conditions of January (until now) have taken their toll. The appearance of ice on Whitney Point Lake came very late this winter. The first “ice-over” occurred on January 4 of this year. We can’t remember when there was no ice during December. At this point, sufficient ice to assure the safety of our guests has not formed and weather conditions are not favorable for ice growth. We have reviewed past years records and consulted the National Weather Service for the next few weeks’ probable scenarios and find nothing to build and sustain ice growth. Our plans will now be directed toward the 2013 Derby.
In addition to the fishing, we had a number of other attractions planned for an on-the-ice Midway. The Ross Park Zoo, Finch Hollow Nature Center, National Weather Service, Broome County Underwater Dive Team and the Triangle EMT’s were scheduled to return. A Polar Bear “Plunge” and ProStaff Seminars were in the early planning stages and the Whitney Point Rotary Clubs “Free Skate” was scheduled to return.
This year would have been the 39th annual attempt to stage our “family friendly” outdoors event. In this period of time, we have canceled 9 times. We prefer to think of the 30 GREAT times that we have had our derby. It has come a long way and we hope to continue that tradition in 2013. We’ll be looking forward to putting a great show together for you. Stay Tuned!
Next year, the derby is scheduled for the last Saturday in January 2013, which would be the 26th of January. The derby attracts participants and visitors from a number of nearby states as well as most regions of New York State. One year, approximately 8,000 people attended. The derby is intended to be a “day out” after the typically cold months of December and January. It is frequently called “a party on the ice” due to its’ format. Please visit the Crappie Derby Website at WWW.CRAPPIEDERBY.COM for additional information. We’ll see you next year.
Dave Hughes
Derby Coordinator
2750 Hickory Street
Whitney Point, NY 13862
607-692-3263
NYSCRAPPIEDERBY@AOL.COM