NEW ORLEANS - Kids will have a day of their own during the BASS Masters Classic when the annual Kids Klassic is held at Lafreniere Park. A bonus attraction for fans of all ages will be the autograph session with the pros that precedes the event.
The fun begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 1 when the 45 Classic pros arrive at the park (3000 Downs Blvd., Metarie) to meet fans, pose for pictures and sign autographs. The session lasts until 11 a.m. and is the best opportunity for fans to meet with their favorite pros.
"The autograph session is all about the fans," says Tim Horton, the 2000 B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year and a fan favorite himself. "Due to the hectic "Super Bowl" nature of Classic Week, we don't have a lot of free time. So this is a great chance for the fans to come out and meet us. We all enjoy the break and look forward to meeting the fans, since they are a big part of why we are here in the first place."
The Kids Klassic is limited to the first 1,000 entrants and will be held at the lake on park property. The advanced reservation period is closed with on-site registration open until the contest reaches capacity. Registration for the first flight begins at 8 a.m. with fishing to follow from 9-10 a.m. Registration for the second flight begins at 9 a.m. with fishing from 10:30-11:30 a.m. The event wraps up at noon.
Each participant receives a free Zebco "Let's Go Fishing" rod andreel, plus a tee shirt and cap provided by the Classic sponsors. Livebait will be provided along with adult supervision and assistance from theB.A.S.S. Chapter Federation, whose members conduct youth fishing events,including CastingKids. A demonstration of how the CastingKids casting, pitching and flipping contest works will also be held during the Kids Klassic.
The event will also include demonstrations and exhibits by the Classic sponsors, plus clowns, face painters and more. Classic souvenirs and B.A.S.S. merchandise will also be available for sale. More details on the Kids Klassic and a full schedule of events on slate during the BASS Masters Classic can be found at http://www.bassmaster.com .
ESPN2 will showcase the 2001 BASS Masters Classic during each day of competition with same-day coverage on Thursday, August 2nd and Friday August 3rd taking place from 6 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. (Eastern). ESPN2 will also provide live updates on Saturday, August 4th, from 7 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. as well as covering the final weigh-in from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Additionally, ESPN2 will present a one-hour special on the 2001 BASS Masters Classic set for New Orleans in early August. The telecast is August 18 at 9 p.m. (Eastern). The program will provide complete coverage of bass fishing's world championship held on the sprawling Louisiana Delta.