ATHENS— Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens with a day of outdoor activities and free admission Saturday, Nov. 19.

Activities going on throughout the day include a raptor and reptile display, a catfishing tournament, kayaking, fly fishing, archery and a walk along the trails.

The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center will present a raptor show at noon and will be conducting displays on the grounds during the event. Wildlife on the Move will also be presenting a variety of interesting creatures at 1 p.m. followed by a see-and-touch session at 3 p.m.

Families can compete to win prizes in a catfishing tournament at TFFC’s casting pond. Anglers may fish as individuals or as teams with an adult assisting a child. All tackle and bait are furnished.

In addition to fishing, a walk on the wetlands trail will showcase some of the unique ecology at the hatchery and show the relationships that these aquatic habitats have. If you are hooked on angling, visit the freshwater fishing museum to learn about the history of fishing, the freshwater fishing hall of fame and the ShareLunker program.

Visitors can view fish up close in their natural habitats in a variety of exhibits and watch a diver hand-feed fish in the TFFC’s 26,000-gallon dive tank aquarium during shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Throughout the day, Purtis Creek State Park staff will teach kayaking skills and water safety to all visitors throughout the day to anyone wanting to learn about paddling. Volunteers will also teach the basics of fly fishing and fly tying and the Henderson County 4H Club will offer instruction in archery skills.

The anniversary celebration is sponsored by the Friends of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.

The TFFC is located on F.M. 2495, Athens, TX, 75752. For information go to www.tpwd.texas.gov/tffc or call 903-676-2277.