Derby website administrator Judy Lavigne says tickets for the derby, which benefits the Downtown Soup Kitchen, will first be available from the Derby Shack -- across from the Ulu Factory at 211 W. Ship Creek Ave. -- for one hour Thursday evening, beginning at 6:30 p.m. They’ll also be available during regular derby hours, from 6 a.m. Friday until the derby’s end at 11:30 a.m. June 17.
Unlike previous years, derby tickets will be free but limited to one per entrant, with a suggested donation of $20. The soup kitchen says it costs $50 per person per month to provide lunches on weekdays.
The soup kitchen opted not to hold the derby in 2011 after a five-year run, instead focusing its efforts on this year’s derby as well as plans for a new facility.
More than 20 prizes for the largest fish landed are available, ranging from a 14-foot boat with outboard motor and trailer for first place to gift cards at the Moose’s Tooth restaurant and Holiday gas stations for 20th place. A special prize for the largest fish landed by an active-duty military member includes $500 in cash, a rod-and-reel combo, and a gift certificate for rental of a cabin or yurt at Alaska state parks.
Derby officials say entrants must have both a ticket and a fishing license before fishing. Caught fish, along with proper harvest documentation filled out at the water’s edge, should be brought to the Derby Shack for weighing from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (or 6 a.m. to noon on June 17).
