A special message from Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller:
The 2025 Youth Fishing Rodeo which was held at Zemurray Park this past Saturday was simply amazing! This now annual event attracted more than 300 children (ages 15 and under), who were accompanied by the adult of their choice to spend a glorious Saturday morning fishing in the Zemurray pond. It was an incredible event, and the smiles and laughter were a testament to the fun that was had by young and old alike!
Tangipahoa Parish Government has been a proud sponsor of this event each year, but we cannot claim credit for its inception. This was the brainchild of Pastor Lionel Sutton. A few years ago, when our parish was reeling from several horrific cases involving youth violence, Elder Sutton came forward with the idea of this fishing rodeo. He and his organization, SAY, which stands for “Save a Youth,” invited other like-minded groups to develop this event. His mission was to remind our community that Tangipahoa is a place that is built on hope and love, compassion for one another, and enjoying time together. The Youth Fishing Rodeo is the perfect visual of these values we hold so dearly. As I walked around Zemurray Park Saturday, each participant was having fun and making memories that will last for years and years. People were helping each other—and not just in their family units. As the day went on, everyone worked together—regardless of age, race, or gender. People were making friends, sharing laughs, and coming together.
It was a perfect day.
I’d like to thank our TPG family, who came out in force to help make this event a success! Many thanks to our partners with Save a Youth, the United Cajun Navy, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, the City of Hammond, Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries, and PJ’s Coffee, who helped us make this day possible.
In just our second year, this event has grown from about 100 families to well over 300 children plus their guests! As we look forward to 2026, we hope to grow that number even more! Thank you to everyone who took part in this amazing event, and if you missed it, please make plans to join us next year! You’ll be glad you did!
–Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller