SPANISH FORT, Ala. — With less than two weeks until the second annual Delta Woods and Waters Expo showcases Spanish Fort’s myriad natural resources for hundreds of school children and the public at large, Jim Parker has “big plans” for area school children and families seeking an education in the ways of rods and reels.

Parker, who lives in Magnolia Springs, has arranged an army of volunteers and the donation of some $800 in equipment, ensuring hands-on casting instruction during the three-day environmental extravaganza at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center.

Slated for April 29 through May 1, the expo’s theme of “Discovering the Delta” aims to familiarize locals and visitors with the wealth of ecological and environmental lessons available in Spanish Fort, while helping develop what many believe can easily become the city’s signature event. The expo is designed to expose area youth to the virtues of environmental consciousness and importance of marine safety, while simultaneously addressing the city’s long-range goal of creating a communitywide event that defines and unites its residents.

“Near as I can tell, I’m going to have 600 kids cycling through 40 at a time every 30 minutes for two days, and we’re ready for them,” said Parker, one of more than a dozen instructors lined up to educate participants during the event.

Corporate donations, he said, have made the equipment possible, with LuLu’s in Gulf Shores donating three-quarters of the needed funds. Elite Marine and retired Secret Service agent Lem Johns provided the balance.

Volunteers from RBC Bank, Coastal Rentals and members of the Gideons have all signed on to help with instruction. Specifically, the fledgling anglers will cast rubber dummies—no hooks or leads allowed—into hoola hoops.

“My goal is to get a rod and reel in every kid’s hand with a person standing there with them to give hands-on instruction from the moment they walk up until they leave. We want to actually teach them something, and let them be aware that they can handle a rod and reel on their own,” Parker said.

The expo’s first two days will cater exclusively to fourth-graders from Spanish Fort, Rockwell and Daphne Elementary schools as well as W.J. Carroll Intermediate School, where all students will participate in each of the eight round-robin activities focusing on everything from mall boat handling, kite making, and local wildlife to kayaks, canoes and racing hulls.

Saturday’s Family Day will feature the same eight activities plus additions such as hiking, fly casting and yarn making and will also include a cooperative ice cream social on the grounds of Five Rivers in conjunction with Spanish Fort’s May 1 Small Cities celebration, with area churches providing the ice cream.

John C. Hall will reprise his role as William Bartram, bringing the work and works of the storied naturalist to life for festival-goers. Hall—who considers himself equal parts educator, historian and naturalist—is the founding curator of the University of West Alabama’s Black Belt Regional Museum, and will depict in costume Bartram’s late 18th-century exploits in Baldwin County. (For more details, see the April 22 issue of the Spanish Fort Sun.)

Other presenters include Rob Leatherby, who will offer instruction on retrieving dogs; Keith Williams with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association; Alba Bryant High School award-winning archery team; Hannis Williams, who will offer his turkey-calling expertise; and Chuck Fisk, who has garnered forces to expose participants to fly fishing and tying.

Fisk, who was recruited by volunteers to participate via Spanish Fort United Methodist Church, will usher participants during Saturday’s Family Day through a tent complete with vices to hold the hooks and equipment to help tie flies. Certified fly-casting instructor Dwight Yoder will be on hand adjacent to the tent for anyone eager to give their skills a test-run, he said.

“I just love the outdoors. I have a water spirit. It’s what keeps me here in this area, and we have such a great natural resource here with the Five Rivers facility. It’s exciting to be  a part of these activities and introduce kids—who might be sitting in front of video games or the television—to this beautiful world around them,” Fisk said.

For more information about the free expo, call (251) 626-4884.