Step Outdoors Festival Expands with Free ‘Family Fishing Program’ June 1 on Bethlehem’s Sand Island

Event, presented by Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, is designed to introduce kids and their families to angling in a fun, relaxed atmosphere

BETHLEHEM, PA—Step Outdoors, the Lehigh Valley’s only outdoors-focused festival, is expanding its activities for children this year by adding a Family Fishing Program on the Lehigh Canal on Sand Island June 1. The free event, presented by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC), will take place 9 a.m.-noon and is open to the first 30 kids who sign up at www.register-ed.com/events/view/141336.

During the Family Fishing Program, PFBC educational staff and volunteers will work with kids ages 5 and older and their families to learn basic fish identification, fishing safety and angling skills. All equipment and tackle are provided courtesy of the agency’s Gaun First Catch Center, with the morning culminating with fishing on the Lehigh Canal for bass, panfish and trout.

“Children are the future of fishing, so we need to provide opportunities that will help them develop a love of the sport as early and often as we can,” said Steve Kralik, Director of the PFBC’s Bureau of Outreach, Education and Marketing. “This event not only offers a chance to make a first catch, but the kids also gain an appreciation for the precious aquatic resources that are all around us.”

Step Outdoors Lehigh Valley presented by St. Luke’s University Health Network is a free, family-focused festival that takes place at SteelStacks June 1-2. During the festival, children enjoy presentations and activities by more than 25 local and state outdoors and conservation groups. Activities include archery, biking, gardening, art & nature activities, hiking, bluebird box building, laser sporting clays and more. Highlights this year include the return of the high-flying Keystone DockDogs competition, a new kids’ firefighters challenge and more.

For more information on Step Outdoors, visit www.steelstacks.org/festivals/stepoutdoors/.