July 29, 2008
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

CHARITY FISHING FUNFEST RETURNS TO NEW SMYRNA BEACH 

With the event schedule finalized, time is running out to take advantage of the early registration discounts for this year’s Battle of the Badges Family Funfest & Inshore Fishing Tournament. The three-day event, one of the premier fundraisers in the state to benefit the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, will include food booths, vendors, midway games, live music, fireworks, law enforcement demonstrations, a 5K Family Fun Run/Walk and more. Riverside Park in New Smyrna Beach will serve as the hub of activities for the weekend of fun, which will take place on Sept. 19-21. “The Battle of the Badges is a wonderful opportunity for the community to have a good time and show its support for the Youth Ranches and the important work it does all around Florida,” said Sheriff Ben Johnson, who hosts the annual fundraiser. “Last year’s event was successful beyond all of our expectations. The community support was overwhelming, and we’re looking forward to an even bigger and better event this year.” 

Organized by the Sheriff’s Office’s Charity Committee, the Battle of the Badges fundraiser has been going on since 2002. However, when the event was transformed into a fishing tournament and family funfest last year, no one was sure what to expect. But an outpouring of support from local residents, anglers and sponsors made the event a huge hit, with more than 300 people participating in a fishing tournament that helped raise $115,000 for the Youth Ranches. “For a first-time event, it was very well organized last year and ran very smoothly,” said Youth Ranches President Roger Bouchard. “Everyone was extremely pleased with the turn-out.” The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches provides a wide assortment of community-based residential care, family counseling, camping programs and foster care to neglected, abused and at-risk children throughout Florida. 

With the success of last year’s fishing tournament, this year’s event has been expanded to an entire weekend of fun. Additional activities include a free give-away of 300 fishing poles to children, boat, truck and car shows and live entertainment featuring Curb Records recording artist Lee Brice as well as Jim Van Fleet, a meteorologist for Fox35 and front man and lead vocalist for his own country music band. 

The entry fee for the fishing tournament is $30 for junior anglers and $60 for adults. The awards will include cash prizes and a Costa Rica fishing charter for two. The entry fee for the 5K Family Fun Run/Walk, which will take place on Sept. 21, ranges from $5-$20 depending on age. Entry fees for both the fishing tournament and 5K Fun Run/Walk will be discounted for anyone who registers either on-line or by mail before Aug. 1. The event schedule and additional information on sponsorship opportunities and how to register for the fishing tournament and 5K Fun Run/Walk can be obtained by visiting the event web site at http://www.badgebattle.com.