Lochloosa Harbor hosting annual fishing tournament

The second annual North Central Florida Bass Fishing Tournament benefiting Hampton Veterans Memorial Bike For Kids will take place Saturday from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Lochloosa Harbor RV Park (15008 SE US Highway 301 in Hawthorne). 

There will be payouts for adults finishing in first and second place based on weight and length (limited to three bass), and there will be a dock fishing tournament for children based on length only. 

There will be a $20 donation fee for adults (with two adults allowed in each boat), and $2 for kids. Fifty percent of all funds raised will go to the HVMF Bicycle Donation Project for parts and supplies, and all new or used bicycle donations are welcome. Bikes will be donated to the children of veterans or the veterans themselves. 

Additionally, there will be a yard sale, a 50/50 raffle, karaoke, refreshments and vendors. HVMF will receive $1 from each plate of food sold. 

"Everybody had a good time, and we had 15 bikes donated last year," said Lochloosa's Laurie Pease, one the event organizers. "It is for a good cause, and it also is a nice way for everybody to get together. 

"We have a lot of veterans out here, and it is great to do something like this for them." 

For more information on participating or being a vendor, contact Pease at 352-481-2114 or Jim Mitzel at 352-468-2517.