Fishing for Autism brings in huge crowd

The 8th annual Fishing for Autism at Island Park in Alexandria hosted between 800 and 1,000 people at the event where medals were also awarded to anyone who caught a fish.

The 8th annual Fishing for Autism at Island Park in Alexandria hosted between 800 and 1,000 people at the event where medals were also awarded to anyone who caught a fish. Organizer Katy O’Connor said Fishing for Autism raised $3,676 towards creating special sensory rooms for autistic children in the Cornwall area. She established the annual fishing day in honour of her son, Chase, who is autistic and shares her love for fishing.

Fishing for Autism continues to grow in popularity, becoming a bigger event where volunteers from many walks of life come to help – all to see the children having fun. This year there were 25 booths, including face painting, bouncy castles, a dunking booth, music, food, a train ride around the park and motorcycle rides provided by the Sovereign Kings Motorcycle Club. Members from the Ottawa club have been helping out at the day for five years.

This year, O’Connor organized a bus to transport kids from Cornwall to Alexandria, with the driver’s time being donated. O’Connor spends the whole year fundraising for Fishing for Autism, hosting events, while saving tips and donations from her shop in Cornwall. Together with her son and daughter, Chase and Alivia, O’Connor head out on a shopping spree to purchase fishing rods, gifts and prizes for Fishing for Autism.

Katy said she is so proud of her children who offer suggestions and help choose gifts for the event, never once asking for something for themselves. For some attendees, 2026 was their first time being at Fishing for Autism, their excitement building as participants were handed their fishing rod and passport. One attendee, who has brought her sister every year, said this was a great event and only wished it had started when her sister was little.