One of Russell County's most well-known events happens this Saturday at Hatchery Creek below Wolf Creek Dam and nearly 2,000 are expected to attend.

The 24th annual Catch a Rainbow Kids Fishing Derby, one of the largest events of it's kind in the country, begins at 9 a.m. Saturday morning at the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery.

The event began in 1986 and has grown each year since, according to event organizers.

Amanda Patrick, the hatchery's environmental education and outreach specialist, said the event is designed as a fun-filled way to get children outdoors and connected to fishing.

“The derby is a great family event and through generous community support, every participant is also treated to great prizes, food, fun and much, much more,” she said.

The event begins at 9 a.m. with the following schedule, per age group, with registration beginning at 8 a.m.

Ages 1 through 4 will fish in the Kiddie Pool area while all other age groups will fish at the creek, according to organizers.

Ages 1 – 4 will fish from 9 a.m. to noon while ages 5 and 6 will fish from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Ages 7 and 8 will get their turn from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. while ages 9 and 10 will fish from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.. Ages 11 and 12 will go from 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. and finally, ages 13 through 15 will fish from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Organizers say fishing assistance is available but all participants need to bring their own tackle.

Like in years past, prizes will be given away in each age category and the food and drinks offered will all be free.

Many adults and children alike are also expected to take advantage of visiting Hatchery's Visitor Center to see its its aquariums and displays.

Sponsors for the big event include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, Walmart of both Somerset and Monticello, Ducks Unlimited, Keystone Foods, Fruit of the Loom, McDonald's of Russell Springs, Pepsi, Treviicos-Soletanche, Shakespeare, FLW Outdoors, South Kentucky RECC, Duo County Telephone, First National Bank of Russell Springs, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Nashville district, Russell County Chamber of Commerce, Bank of Jamestown, Jamestown Resort and Marina, Lake Cumberland Community Action Agency, Monticello Banking Company, Lee's Ford Resort and Marina, Kentucky State Parks-Lake Cumberland State Park, R. Fred Capps Memorial Golf Tournament, Office Depot of Somerset, Lowe's of Somerset, Houchen's Markets, Hometown IGA, Primo Water Distributor, Cumberland Lake Shell and Lake Country Outdoors of Russell Springs.

For more information about the event, go online to www.catcharainbow.org

Coinciding with the kid's fishing derby is the celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week, which includes Free Fishing Weekend in the state of Kentucky.

Anglers may fish in Kentucky June 5-6 without a fishing license or a trout permit. All fishing regulations such as minimum size limits and daily creel limits remain in effect during Free Fishing Weekend.

Children ages 15 and under may fish without a license or permit year-round but the Free Fishing Weekend allows parents or family visiting from out of state to join them for free.

Complete fishing regulations can be found in the 2010-11 Kentucky Fishing and Boating Guide, available online at fw.ky.gov and wherever fishing licenses are sold.