Let your kids test their fishing prowess Saturday moring at the Huck Finn Fishing Derby at North Raleigh’s Shelley Lake.

Now in its fifth year, the derby can draw as many as 250 kids ages 5 to 12, who compete for prizes for biggest fish caught, smallest fish and most fish.

Hundreds more come to watch the contest; dress up as Huck Finn, Becky Thatcher or Tom Sawyer in a look-a-like contest; check out the demonstrations; and make arts and crafts.

Hayrides will take people from the parking lot at the Sertoma Arts Center at 1400 W. Millbrook Rd. to the event.

Park staff will have fishing poles for kids participating in the contest for as long as supplies last, but you’re encouraged to bring your own. And you don’t have to have a cane pole like Huck and Tom used.

The event kicks off the open season for Shelley Lake’s boathouse and concessions, which are open from mid-March to mid-october each year.

The boathouse will be open from 2 p.m. to sunset on Fridays and 8 a.m. to sunset on Saturday and Sundays.

During the season, the city operates a fishing loan program where, like getting a book from the library, you can borrow fishing rods, tackle and other equipment you’ll need for fishing. The only thing you need to bring are the worms.

There are a variety of fishing programs for kids at parks across the Triangle.

In Raleigh, many of them are at Lake Wheeler Park at 6404 Lake Wheeler Rd. in south Raleigh. That park will host its own kids fishing derby June 6. It will also offer a family fishing program April 11 and July 11.

Durham parks staff will offer Fishin' Frenzy on March 29 and May 2 at Lake Michie. Registration is required for the program for kids ages 5 to 12 with an adult.

For beginning fishers ages 6 to 12, Jordan Lake will offer Catch a Sure Thing every Saturday starting April 4 through June 20. Parents are encouraged to attend with their kids. Registration is required as space is limited.

Also ....

The Raleigh St. Patrick's Day Parade was rescheduled to noon, Saturday, because of the rain last weekend.

The Nasher Museum of Art in Durham will host a family day from noon to 4 p.m., March 22. The event celebrates the museum’s Bloomsbury exhibition, which runs through April 5, and features live music, hands-on projects and gallery hunts. Go to nasher.duke.edu for details.

Crabtree Valley Mall on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh will host breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., March 21. Food is free for the kids. Then you can follow the Bunny as he hops over to the promotional court to get your photo taken with him. And check him out at 10:45 a.m., March 21, at Northgate Mall in Durham when he’ll head up an Easter parade through the mall. To see a full list of Easter Bunny appearances at malls across the Triangle and Easter egg hunts, check out the Triangle Easter Guide.

Songwriter, storyteller and children's television host Willa Brigham will be at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, 426 Anderson St., Durham at 11 a.m., March 21. Tickets are $8. Call 684-4444 or go to tickets.duke.edu for details.

And WakeMed's Swing into Spring event offers an evening of free family-friendly events planned Tuesday in Brier Creek. WakeMed also is offering an inexpensive CPR course for families that night.

A couple of consignment sales: Kids Stuff at Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh runs Thursday night through Saturday. The giant Kids EveryWear in Morrisville starts up Tuesday and runs through Friday.

As always, there's more on the Mom2Mom calendar.

Check out our other daily themes at TriangleMom2Mom:

MONDAY: Meet!
TUESDAY: Ask!
WEDNESDAY: Eat!
THURSDAY: Play!
FRIDAY: Out!
WEEKEND: Relax!