Enriching Children’s
Lives with History
and Traditions...
Story by Sue Erwin • Photos from the Boca Beacon archives
Get ready young anglers, it’s almost time for
the World’s Greatest Kids’ Fishing Tournament!
The 8th annual Gasparilla Island Kids Classic Tarpon Tournament is planned for Saturday, June 2. It’s
been eight years since Capt. Sandy Melvin teamed up with island residents Bill Klettke and Michael
Vaughn to form an organization called Boca Grande Charities, Inc. with the goal of hosting a fun and
educational event that gives back to the community.
“Our motivation for starting this tournament was to get kids involved in fishing and to further the historical
significance of Boca Grande tarpon fishing,” Melvin said. “We want to help create the next generation of
fishermen and at the same time, teach them valuable life lessons and show them how to give back.”
40GASPARILLA ISLAND May/June 2018
Saturday,
June 2, 2018
8th Year!