Katie Freedman, Healthy Acadia; JG, one of Juneteenth Downeast’s organizers; Eric Stiles, Friends of Acadia; and Todd Pride, Legacy Land & Water Partners and Lead Fishing Trainer, at the Juneteeth Commemoration. (Photo courtesy Todd Pride)

Rods were wielded and lines were cast during two days of fishing workshops at Lamoine State Park during Juneteenth Downeast‘s inaugural Weekend on the Water at Lamoine State Park.

Participants new to fishing gained some fishing skills and had the opportunity to practice their casts at the water’s edge while experienced anglers – including Todd Pride, president of Legacy Land & Water Partners and Lead Fishing Guide – shared their expertise and love of the sport. Kids and adults enjoyed fishing games in the grass with plastic fish, too.

The fishing activity was part of Downeast Juneteenth’s inaugural Weekend on the Water, which boasted two days chock-full of outdoor recreation, excellent food, and camping over the weekend of June 17 and 18. A Juneteeth Commemoration took place on June 19 at Knowlton Park in Ellsworth.

A father and his kids cast for plastic fish in the grass during Juneteenth Downeast’s Weekend on the Water event, which included activities including hiking, fishing, sailing, swimming, and camping. (Photo courtesy Todd Pride)

The inaugural Weekend on the Water at Lamoine State Park included kayaking, canoeing, sailing, hiking, fishing, and swimming. There was also singing around the campfire and stargazing with a telescope.

The weekend events were developed and led by the Juneteenth Downeast Implementation Group to build welcoming opportunities for Black people and other people of color to engage and explore together in the outdoors. Juneteenth Downeast exists to “give people of the African diaspora a place to connect, and opportunities to replenish that which was taken away.”

Weekend on the Water welcomed all experience levels. Activities were free and gear was provided for those who needed it. Juneteenth Downeast was fiscally sponsored by Healthy Acadia. A host of local organizations, including Friends of Acadia, provided additional support and equipment.

A young angler casts into the water at Lamoine State Park during Weekend on the Water. (Photo by Eric Stiles/Friends of Acadia)

Friends of Acadia CEO and President Eric Stiles and Conservation Projects Manager Paige Steele had a grand time participating at the fishing activity.

“The rain didn’t dampen the spirits whatsoever,” Eric said. “Events like Weekend on the Water give people the experience and tools so they can feel the comfort and confidence to get outdoors year-round, introduce their families or friends.”

A young angler holds two mackerel during Weekend on the Water. (Photo courtesy Todd Pride)

While catching a fish is sometimes an elusive occurrence – that’s part of fishing’s charm – some fishing participants were able to proudly pose with their catches. And despite a damp Saturday, the weekend of activities were a testament to the value of connecting with nature and each other, even in a persistent rain.

Hopefully all in attendance caught an enthusiasm for the outdoors that will lure them out to the water or the woods again soon.

Learn more about Juneteenth Downeast

JG, one of the organizer’s of Juneteenth Downeast, shows off their plastic fish. Center: Paige Steele and Todd Pride; Right: fishing enthusiasm during Weekend on the Water. (Photos by Eric Stiles/Friends of Acadia)