The Midland Daily News asked me to cover the annual Freeland Walleye Festival and Fishing Tournament. The event draws anglers from across the state for the tournament, children's fishing events, carnival rides, food and other vendors. I was most drawn to parents enjoying the day with their children, whether or not they were having any luck catching fish. Perhaps it's because they would remind me of fishing with my granddad at their cabin; perhaps it's simply because kids get excited about everything. Maybe both.

Freeland Walleye FestivalDANIELLE McGREW | for the Daily News
Pam Budzinski of Freeland shows Lilly Gonzales,7, how to cast during the kids' pond fishing competition at the Freeland Walleye Festival at Tittabawassee Township Park on Saturday.
Lilly Gonzales said she was having fun, even though they hadn't caught any fish. Freeland Walleye FestivalDANIELLE McGREW | for the Daily News
Bailee Schultz, 11, prepares to net a rainbow trout caught by Chloe Ehmcke, 4, with a little help from Leonard Ehmcke as Mikawyla Ehmcke, 8, watches at the kids' fishing pond at Tittabawassee Township Park on Saturday. Mikayla said she and Chloe each caught three rainbow trout so far, and Bailee had caught two fish. Freeland Walleye FestivalDANIELLE McGREW | for the Daily News
Fred Wahls of Freeland clips fishes' fins to ensure they are only weighed once at the weigh-in station at Tittabawssee Township Park during the Freeland Walleye Festival on Saturday. Each fisherman is allowed to weigh in four fish each day.
The festival, now in its 30th year, includes entertainment, a casino, car show, carnival rides, food and a fishing tournament. Freeland Walleye FestivalDANIELLE McGREW | for the Daily News
Tyler Tomasek, 12, of Hemlock, moves walleye from his cooler to a basket to be weighed at Tittabawassee Township Park during the Freeland Walleye Festival on Saturday. Tomasek said he's been fishing for most of his life. Freeland Walleye FestivalDANIELLE McGREW | for the Daily News
Tyler Tomasek, 12, of Hemlock picks up walleye by their gills after weighing them at Tittabawassee Township Park during the Freeland Walleye Festival on Saturday. The fishing tournament includes prizes for the most pounds for eight fish and the largest walleye. Freeland Walleye FestivalDANIELLE McGREW | for the Daily News
Beau Deal of Freeland places walleye into a basket to be weighed at Tittabawassee Township Park during the Freeland Walleye Festival on Saturday. The festival, now in its 30th year, includes entertainment, a casino, car show, carnival rides, food and a fishing tournament. Freeland Walleye FestivalDANIELLE McGREW | for the Daily News
Contestants fish for walleye from boats and along the shore of the Tittabawassee River on Saturday during the Freeland Walleye Festival. Participants can submit four fish each of the two days of the tournament and are competing for cash prizes and prize packages. Freeland Walleye FestivalDANIELLE McGREW | for the Daily News
Tom Brown of Port Sanilac shows off the walleye he and his daughter Kylah caught along the Tittabawassee River during the Freeland Walleye Festivalon Saturday. Walleye, a predatory fish, range from 10 to 18 inches long and 1 to 3 or more pounds. They have small, sharp teeth and their eyes feature a reflective under layer that helps them see in murky water and reflects light in the dark. Freeland Walleye FestivalDANIELLE McGREW | for the Daily News
Kylah Brown, 6, casts her pink fishing rod with her father, Tom Brown of Port Sanilac at Festival Park along the Tittabawassee River during the Freeland Walleye Festival on Saturday. Kylah had caught the first fish of the day out of their fishing group of family and friends. Tom Brown said it was his fifth year at the tournament, but the first time bringing Kylah.