In the fall of every year, the Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce sponsors a 3-day Bass  Derby fishing contest.

Rio Vista is on the west bank of the Sacramento River. Prizes are given for several categories of the heaviest fish of a given target length caught on the  river.

A festival accompanies the derby.  Festival events include a

• vintage car show
• motorcycle show
• soap box derby
• karaoke contest
• bands
• carnival rides
• crafts vendors
• food and refreshment

Rio Vista Rotary runs a linguiça booth and jointly runs a beer booth with the Lions club.  This year the linguiça booth raised $3,400. The beer booth usually raises $1,500, this years total is not available yet, but this year’s traffic appeared typical.

Linguiça is a delicious Portuguese sausage.  Rio Vista boils the sausage in wine and serves  it hot on a roll.  This unique and tasty snack gets many repeat customers throughout the event.

Hank Tussy, who joined the club in 1961, describes how the tradition of serving linguiça sandwiches at the Bass Derby got started.  In 1954, one year after the club was chartered, four Rotarians, Jesse Marks, Milt Wallace, Jack Dole and Tony Brown, spearheaded the booth  in conjunction with the Bass Derby.  It’s been a tradition and an enjoyable fundraiser ever since.

Prepared by Bob Barb - Bulletin Editor - Rio Vista