A group of local fisherman have joined together to honor a friend in what is being called the Ron Smith Celebration of Life Community Festival.

The festival takes place this Sunday at the Castaic Regional Sports Complex, but organizers want the public to know that it’s not a charity event but a celebration.

“We are getting together to honor Ron’s name and what he stood for,” said Rob Tomlin.
What started out as a simple bass tournament with friends quickly grew into a day-long event with the whole community involved.
The bass tournament will start at 6:30 a.m. at the Upper Lake in Castaic.
A host of other events will take place at the Castaic Sports Complex starting at 9 a.m. with a poker tournament.
Throughout the day there will be different activities like hula dancing lessons, rock bands, a BBQ and dancing by Pacific Live Entertainment.
The Hawaiian theme for the festival came from Smith’s construction team where he made every Friday Hawaiian shirt day.
“Here was a person who embodied the spirit of all good men, a loving husband, a caring father, a great friend and a boss who was respected and loved,” said Bill Siemantel, a friend of Smith’s, via the Ron Smith Celebration of Life Community Festival Facebook page. “Not a rock star, war hero, police officer or celebrity, but simply a decent man.”
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation has set up a donation center at the event where they will be collecting toys and food to distribute to the local community.
The events at the Sports Complex are free including the poker tournament, although an RSVP is required to participate in the tournament.
For more information on the Bass Tournament and all of the scheduled events visit the Ron Smith Celebration of Life Community Festival Facebook page by clicking here.