On Saturday, May 16, the Suffield Conservation Commission and the Suffield Parks & Recreation Department proudly hosted their 5th Annual Fishing Derby at Sunrise Park on Whites Pond.
With beautiful sunny weather and temperatures in the mid-70s, many residents came out to enjoy the day and support this wonderful community tradition.
Photo by Eric Hamlak
Suffield Conservation Commission Chairman Art Christian delivered remarks and helped hand out prizes at the 2026 Fishing Derby at Sunrise Park.
Youth ages 1–16 cast their lines in hopes of landing the biggest catch of the day. A variety of fish were reeled in, including sunfish, rainbow trout, and bass.
Seven-year-old Parker Uricchio caught the largest fish of the day, weighing 1.08 pounds and measuring 8½ inches long. Twelve-year-old Connor Mahar finished in second place with an impressive .98-pound catch.
Photo by Eric Hamylak
Suffield resident Connor Mahar accepts his prizes at the 2026 Suffield Fishing Derby.
Winners were announced to a jubilant crowd at 11 a.m., when a selection of prizes was awarded to participants. We congratulate all of the youth participants for their enthusiasm and great catches.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the local businesses and individuals whose generous donations and sponsorships make this event possible every year.
In particular, Spellman, Kelly and Fanous LLC and Scott Terra have supported the Fishing Derby year after year, and their continued dedication to this event is truly appreciated.
A special thank you goes out to the cheerful and hardworking volunteers from Scout Troop 66, the Suffield High School Agriscience Department, and the Suffield High School National Honor Society for helping the event run so smoothly.
Thank you to all the families and community members who joined us for a fantastic day outdoors celebrating a great Suffield tradition.
Suffield Parks and Recreation Department’s Annual 10K, 5K, 2-Mile Walk, and Kids Fun Run
Whether you are a seasoned local racer, a casual walker, a business owner, or a resident looking to get involved in the community, mark your calendars for a true town tradition!
Save the date for Saturday, September 12, 2026 for the Suffield Parks and Recreation Department’s Annual 10K, 5K, 2-Mile Walk, and Kids Fun Run, proudly presented by PeoplesBank.
The race serves as the perfect kick-off to the historic Suffield on the Green weekend. Come for the morning race and stay to enjoy a full weekend of community festivities.
Participants can choose from several ways to get involved:
Run or Walk:
Enjoy a scenic 10K or brand-new 5K route traveling down historic Main Street and through picturesque rolling farmland, along with a FREE two-mile walk and Kids Fun Run. Registration available through Race Sign Up.
Volunteer:
Help support the event on Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12 with roles including registration, water stops, hospitality, setup, breakdown and participant greeting.
Partner & Sponsor:
Local businesses are invited to showcase their support with sponsorship opportunities that include a dedicated booth space at the event to connect with residents.
Brand Ambassador: Help spread the word by sharing the event flyer with friends, family, and neighbors.
Perk alert: All volunteers and partners will receive a free official Road Race T-shirt as a thank-you for their support.
This beloved annual tradition simply wouldn’t be possible without the incredible energy of our participants, volunteers and local business sponsors. Thank you for making Suffield such a vibrant place to live. We can’t wait to see you at the start line, and look forward to seeing you and your family at all of our upcoming summer events and programs!