Optimist Club of Perdido Bay hosts 40th annual Mullet Festival

LILLIAN, Ala. (WALA) - The Optimist Club of Perdido Bay hosted the 40th annual Mullet Festival Labor Day morning. The event is held to bring the community together and raise money for programs benefiting local children. Jeff Keener, president elect of the Optimist Club of Perdido Bay, said the club will serve 325 meals and give away almost 200 Christmas gifts through its Breakfast with Santa event. He said the club's fishing rodeo serves about 150 kids, many of whom do not have a fishing pole. He said the club also assists individual families in need. 'Like breakfast with Santa we'll serve 325 meals and we'll give away almost 200 Christmas gifts,' Keener said. 'The fishing rodeo it'll be about 150 kids not many kids have a fishing pole. We will take care of individual families who have need.' Carole Hayden said the event helps a community that needs support. 'It's wonderful. It's a community that really needs a lot of help. There's people who need help,' Hayden said. The day started with a 5K. Organizers said the race has grown from 50 runners a few years ago to more than 120. Geoffrey Wilkins came from Foley to run the race for the fifth time. 'It's a fun, fun group of people,' Wilkins said. 'It's a fun run, a little hot today but other than that it's just great for the community too.' The event also included breakfast, lunch, a bake sale and a silent auction. The main event was the annual mullet toss. Several people of all ages attempted to break the course record of 186 feet. Some had impressive throws, while others needed practice. Karen Marrero came from Pensacola to try the mullet toss for the first time. 'My husband told me it was going to be plastic or fake, they couldn't have real ones for that many people, but they did,' Marrero said. 'Surprise! I didn't realize how sloppy and slimy they were.' The Optimist Club said it expects to raise between $30,000 and $40,000 from the Mullet Festival, making it the club's biggest fundraiser of the year. 'That's absolutely wonderful,' Marrero said. 'It just touches my heart because kids are our future generation.'