Port Freeport Celebrates 25^th Annual Take-A-Child Fishing Tournament During Centennial Year
 
FREEPORT, TX (May 14, 2025) – On Saturday, May 10, 2025, Port Freeport proudly hosted the 25th Annual Take-A-Child Fishing Tournament (TACFT) at Freeport Municipal Park. This year’s tournament held special significance as it coincided with Port Freeport’s Centennial celebration, marking a century of service and commitment to the community.
"On behalf of the Port Commission, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors and volunteers for making this annual tradition a cherished event that local families eagerly anticipate each year," said Port Commission Chairman Ravi Singhania. "This event, now in its 25th year, brings our community together in a manner that uplifts and inspires everyone."
The event welcomed approximately 327 young anglers across Brazoria County and surrounding areas. With families, friends, and volunteers in attendance, total event participation reached nearly 700 people. As part of the entry process, attendees donated 659 pounds of canned goods, benefiting the Brazoria County Dream Center and supporting local families in need.
Children were divided into two age categories: Blue Fins (ages 3-8) and Yellow Fins (ages 9-14). First, second, and third-place winners were recognized in each category. Winners received trophies and prizes, including laptops, Visa gift cards, and backpacks. Every registrant received a commemorative T-shirt and backpack filled with goodies and had the chance to win one of more than 200 door prizes.
This year’s young anglers brought in an impressive total of 794 fish during the weigh-in. Port Freeport would like to thank everyone who attended and congratulate this year’s winners:
Blue Fins Category (Ages 3-8): First Place – Raeven Salinas, Second Place – Oaklee Strother & Melanie Gonzalez, Third Place – Rone Diranowski
Yellow Fins Category (Ages 9-14): First Place – Ilyan Cantu, Second Place – Mckenzie Mouton, Third Place – Gunner Strother & Brayden Roaro
“Celebrating 25 years of the Take-A-Child Fishing Tournament during Port Freeport’s 100th year makes this event especially meaningful,” said Phyllis Saathoff, Executive Director/CEO of Port Freeport. “Seeing our youth connect with the outdoors and each other through fishing is a tradition we are proud to uphold, thanks to the dedication of our sponsors, volunteers, and community partners.”
Special guests at the event included sponsors and community partners who volunteered their time at the bait and goodie stations and assisted with event operations. Among the highlights were the Dole Fresh Fruit mascots Bobby the Banana and Penelope the Pineapple, the Texas Roadhouse mascot Andy the Armadillo, and Chick-fil-A’s “Eat Mor Chikin” Cow. Southern Cool Shaved Ice offered delicious snow cones, while Texas Port Ministry and First Baptist Church of Freeport provided face painting for the kids. The United States Coast Guard shared important water safety information, and Coastie the Safety Boat was on hand. LJA Surveying also handed out kid-friendly items and snacks. The Freeport Historical Museum shared details about summer events and showcased impressive displays, including Tiger and Bull Shark jaws, as well as an original Megalodon tooth, along with some freebies. DJ Ken provided music throughout the event to keep everyone entertained.
Port Freeport extends its sincere appreciation to the volunteers and sponsors who helped make the 25th Annual TACFT a success. Sponsors for this year’s event included:
Platinum Sponsors – Freeport LNG |  G & H Towing Co. | Gulf Stevedoring Services | ILA LOCAL 30| McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. | Moffatt & Nichol | Ports America, Inc. | Tenaris;
Gold Sponsors – Bay - Houston Towing Co. |  Brazos Pilots Association | City of Freeport | Dole Fresh Fruit Company | Promotions Unlimited | Red Hook Terminals | Simply Elegance | Signet Maritime | Sunstates Security LLC. | Vulcan Materials Company 
Silver Sponsors - BTEL | Doyle & Wachtstetter, Inc.  | Freeport Mooring & Marine, Inc.  |  Gulf Stream Marine | HDR Inc. |  J&S Contractors, Inc. | Kirby Inland Marine | Leaf Engineers | LJA Surveying |  Rail Link | Terracon | TJ's Lube Stop | Weighing Technologies, Inc.
Event Sponsors - Bell Dental | Blueline Shop & Copy Center | Bracewell, LLP | Brazoria County Parks Department | Brazoria County Septic Service  | BreVard Company | Bridge Bait|  Bridge Harbor Yacht Club | Carolina Damian, Realtor eXp Realty | Chick-fil-A | Chiquita | First State Bank | Freese and Nichols, Inc. | GHD Services, Inc. | Grimaldi Lines | Gulf Coast Engraving | Gulftex Vending & Coffee Services, Inc. | Hoegh Autoliners | ILA Local 30 | Kendralyn Design Co. | KM&L, LLC |  Masterson Advisors, LLC | On The River Restaurant | Port Freeport Commissioner Barbara Fratila & Nick Fratila | Port Freeport Commissioner Dan Croft | Port Freeport Commissioner Ravi Singhania | Port Freeport Commissioner Rob Giesecke | Southern Cool Shaved Ice | Texas Port Ministry | Texas Roadhouse | Vernor Material & Equipment
Looking ahead, Port Freeport remains committed to fostering community engagement and youth enrichment through events like the Take-A-Child Fishing Tournament. The port looks forward to building on this success and creating even more memories in the years to come.
Mark your calendars: The 26th Annual Take-A-Child Fishing Tournament will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Freeport Municipal Park from 8 AM to 12 PM.
Port Freeport is a leading port in the export of crude oil and natural gas liquids and ranks nationally as 6th in chemicals, 14th in total foreign waterborne tonnage, and 26th in containers.  A 2022 Economic Impact Study by Texas A&M Transportation Institute revealed that, nationally, the Freeport Harbor Channel generates 266,300 jobs and has a total economic output of $157.3 billion.  Port Freeport serves Alliera, Atlantic Container Lines, AMPORTS, BASF, Chiquita Fresh N.A., Dole Fresh Fruit, The Dow Chemical Company, Enterprise Products Partners, ExxonMobil, Freeport LNG, Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Glovis, Grimaldi Lines, Hoegh Autoliners, Kirby Marine, Liberty Global Logistics, Linde, MEGlobal, NYK RORO, Phillips 66, Riviana Foods, Inc., Sallaum Lines, Tenaris, U.S Department of Energy, Volkswagen Group of America, and Vulcan Materials Company.
Port Freeport is committed to keeping the local community informed of our operation and results. If you have questions or comments about this article, please email or call Amanda Veliz, Public Affairs Manager.
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PHOTO CUTLINE: Port Freeport Executive Director and CEO Phyllis Saathoff, along with the Port Commissioners, awarded 1st through 3rd place prizes to the winners of the blue fins and yellow fins divisions at the tournament.