Nieem Gaston, 9, and Nacir Gaston, 11, of Laurinburg, were two of the more than 25 kids who participated. Although they did not catch anything, fishing from the bank of the river was something their grandparents, Celeslie and Charles Malloy, wanted them to experience.
“(We came for) the activities to give them some experience with nature and to see the environment and appreciate it,” Celeslie said.
The winning fish belonged to Abigail Bowen, 8, of Evergreen, and Aidan Hedgepeth, 8, of Fayetteville, who both won fishing poles.
While the kids did not have much luck catching fish, the rest of the day’s festivities were a success, said Neill Lee, the superintendent of the park.
About 400 people came out to Lumber River State Park to celebrate the river being designated as one of North Carolina’s Top 10 Natural Wonders. Booths, exhibits, canoe rides and races, a kids fishing contest, a casting contest, and a kids wet T-shirt race kept families busy on the hot, sunny day.
Music provided by Jim Caulder and the Bluegrass Misfits kept the mood upbeat while families checked out exhibits, enjoyed the free food and went canoeing and fishing.
Jim Caulder, of Lumberton and a member of Wildlife Action and of the band, said this event is great for the river.
“It’s just another link in the chain to bring attention to the river,” he said. “ ... Once people see it and recognize it as the natural wonder that it is, then they’re more likely to help protect it and preserve it.”
The canoe rides were another popular activity for many of the kids and adults. Kim Fisher, of Lumberton, brought her daughters Sara, 8, and Carley, 5, who were patiently waiting for a ride down the river.
“I’ve never been on one before and I just want to feel it,” Sara said. “I just want to experience it.”
Kim said she has brought the girls out camping around the river before and that they enjoy fishing. She said the Lumber River has a lot to offer families.
“A lot of the rivers around here don’t have the trails like this one does,” she said. “It’s a nice family atmosphere.”
Mac Legerton, one of the community supporters who campaigned for the river’s recognition, had a table set up for River Way Outdoor Adventure and Education Center. River Way sends groups out on the river almost daily in canoes, kayaks, and a pontoon boat.
“The Lumber River is an ancient, beautiful river and it’s also still in it’s natural state,” he said. “We’ve really worked hard over the last 30 years to protect the river and keep it from being polluted and having it designated as part of the state park.”
A ribbon cutting ceremony followed Mayor Raymond B. Pennington’s proclamation of July 17 as Lumber River Day.
Lumbee ambassadors Brandi Scott, Taylor Smith, Erika Locklear and Naveah Locklear also came out to show their support for the river, from which the Lumbee tribe derived its name.
Legerton said being on the river is a great experience for anyone, young or old.
“It’s a 2-million-year-old river, so when you get on the river, it’s like you go back in time, almost as if time has stood still,” he said. “The animal life and the plant life is so diverse and it’s one of our state’s most beautiful places.”
Lee said he plans to celebrate the river every year with similar events.
“Hopefully we will do it in September next year, so it will be cooler and we can still have the same activities,” he said.
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