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It seems as though the small town of Baldwinsville
is making a name for itself on the map.
Sometime next spring, most likely in May or
June of 2007, the American Carp Society plans
on utilizing the Seneca River to bring at least
100 carp fishers to compete in the ACS Regional
Tournament.
"Baldwinsville has the downtown area, The
Red Mill Inn, good shopping as well as the river.
All the pieces are here,” said David Moore, director
of the American Carp Society. “I'm confident
we can pull this off."
Usually held in England , the question most
often asked of Moore is when the next competition
will come to the United States. Because of the
small town appeal and friendly atmosphere, Baldwinsville
was chosen.
"We are going to get Baldwinsville into
all the magazines that carp anglers read," said
Kathleen Kelly, publicist and marketing for the
American Carp Society.
Carp angling is a popular sport in many other
countries and Moore compares its appeal to soccer
in that it began as a well-known sport in Europe,
then having moved to America .
"Carp angling is a $5.5 billion industry
in the UK alone," Moore said.
Carp is also the number one most sought after
freshwater fish.
Due to the recent interest in beautifying Baldwinsville
and increasing tourism, the event would have
a large draw. "This town is easily accessible
because it's near Syracuse and in the middle
of everything," Moore said.
Carp anglers who live in the United States will
be very excited for the tournament to be close-by.
The American Carp Society is eager to begin
gathering sponsors to get the entrance fee as
low as possible, which is usually anywhere between
$3 to $500.
"To do the actual tournament costs around
$60,000," Kelly said.
Depending on the sponsors, the cash prizes are
sought after as well. The ACS plans on using
the amphitheater and other venues in the area
to create an event that would interest an array
of people.
"We would have a headquarters where people
could look at pictures of carp and a center for
people interested to learn about carp fishing," Moore
said.
In the past, Moore has seen entire families
come to watch, as well as fish and enjoy the
scenery, during these competitions.
"People come, they bring the kids, the
wives can go shopping and have fun," Moore
said.
The ACS looks forward to utilizing the gem of
a town Baldwinsville is and using it to enhance
the community that is already present.
This will be the first ACS Regional Tournament
held in the United States in years.
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