There were smiles all around at the 69th Annual Special Needs Fishing Derby.

The two-day event was held Thursday and today at the Germantown Grove in East Jim Thorpe.

The students were bused in from the Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Palmerton, and Panther Valley School districts.

The two-day derby was canceled the past three years due to COVID-19.

A one-day event was held last year and this year marked the return to the regular fishing derby.

The Dolan Jones Martino American Legion Post 304 of Jim Thorpe sponsored Thursday’s events, and Sean Kresge and Kresge Electric sponsored Friday’s Derby. The Germantown Grove Club provided the grounds, the fish, and the refreshments.

“We have about 110 kids each day, and they usually bring their own volunteers. We also have local volunteers helping,” explained volunteer Kim Sargent.

Volunteers helped the students with the poles, helping bait the hooks, and reeling in the fish. Students from several area schools lent their time to help the children, who have been looking forward to the derby.

“Some of them have been waiting all year for this; it’s a big deal for them,” said Dave Remmel, one of the event organizers.

Each student had a 3-fish limit they could catch. Volunteers Butch Mertz and Joe Shigo took care of filleting the fish for the students, and put the fillets in a plastic bag for each student to take home with them.