Flying fish will be the draw in Matlacha on Saturday
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no it’s a mullet. Presented by the Matlacha Mariners, the 19th annual Mullet Toss Championship will take place on Saturday, Feb. 27. Fish flingers and spectators are welcome to attend one of Matlacha’s most popular events which will be staged in the Matlacha Community Park with pre-registrations beginning at 10 a.m. The competition is open to children as well as adults. The registration fee for adults will be $5 per toss while children 15 and under will pay $2 to participate.
“As in years past, contestants and spectators alike can expect some fierce competition along with record distances thrown,” said event coordinator, James Schooley.
The Mullet Toss pits contestants against one another with individuals tossing a mullet from a marked foul line down a designated corridor. The person with the longest distance covered will earn bragging rights and a cash prize.
According to Mariner, Jerry Tolliver, the Mullet Toss began when locals were looking for another way to amuse themselves as northern visitors left the little barrier island heading home again. In addition to the amusement factor, proceeds from the event will go to help individuals and other groups in Matlacha and on Pine Island.
The rules for the Mullet Toss are as follows:
— Contestants will toss a mullet approximately 1 pound
— No gloves are allowed
— The mullet must be thrown from anywhere behind and up to the foul line, down a designated path.
— No stepping over the line during the throw and follow through or the toss may be disqualified
— Throwing mullet out of bounds may also result in a disqualification
— All measurement results are final and under the discretion of the Matlacha Mariner’s operating officials
The children participating in the competition will be divided into several ages groups which include; Fry Mullet Division for boys and girls ages 1 through 5, Fingerling Mullet Division for boys and girls ages 6 to 10, Juvenile Mullet boys and girls ages 11 to 15. The children will begin tossing at 10:30 a.m. until noon and the winners in each category will be awarded with an official Mullet Toss plaque.
The adults, ages 16 to 60 will begin competing at 12:01 p.m. and the winner will receive $150 and a plaque to be awarded to one male and one female adult participant. Last but not least will be the Grey Mullet Division for those age 61 and up with the winner also being presented with a plaque. The competition will end at 4 p.m. when the winners will be announced.
This is a fund-raising event and while those attending are encouraged to bring a lawn chair; no outside carry-in acholic beverages, coolers or pets will be permitted in the park.
For those planning to spend the day at the Mullet Toss, cold beverages as well as grilled food and smoked mullet will be available for purchase at the park. In addition, several 50/50 drawings will be offered and the members of the Mariners will be selling commemorative Mullet Toss T-shirts for the 2010 as well as a few left over from past events. This event also is the last chance to purchase a ticket on a chance to win a 2010 Harley Davidson Softtail Deluxe motorcycle.
For more information about the 19th annual Mullet Toss Championship, visit the Mariner’s Web site at matlachamariners.org