By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Youngsters attending the 24th annual Youth Outdoor Festival in Hays will have the opportunity to win either a lifetime hunting or fishing license.
The festival has always ended with a drawing for prizes, but this is the first year the festival has been able to offer these prizes — thanks to an anonymous donor — said Clint Newell, volunteer.
Pheasants Forever also will be giving away a 20-gauge youth shotgun.
The festival allows youth 17 and younger to experience outdoor sports, including trap, skeet, muzzleloaders, crossbow and compound bow archery, air rifle/BB guns, .22 rifles, a casting competition, paintball target shooting and computerized target shooting.
"We have a pretty good mix for all of the kids at any age," Newell said of the stations.
All equipment and materials will be provided, and the event is free to all youth.
"It's to get kids outdoors, experiencing various methods of outdoor sport and encourage them to get out, put their phones down and get out and have some fun," Newell said.
The event is 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Hays City Sportsman Club, 5810 230th Ave. The club is behind Celebration Community Church. Take exit 157 on Interstate 70, exit north, go 1/4 mile to the sign and turn east.
Last year, there was a detour because of construction. That work has been finished.
Lunch, sponsored by Vyve Broadband and Smoky Hill Pheasants Forever, will be served free to participants at noon. The prize drawing will be after lunch.
Youth need to be accompanied by an adult, register onsite and have their guardian sign a release.
Newell said the event drew 178 youth last year, but he expects the lack of construction and the forecast for good weather will likely mean higher participation this year.
