Click here for pictures from the 2014 Ron Chasteen Fishing Derby

  The Optimist Club of Fairfield is a local branch of Optimist International and is heavily involved in promoting youth and other philanthropic events in the Butler County area. Probably most well know is the Optimist involvement with youth soccer on the grounds around the Optimist clubhouse. In addition to the two soccer organizations associated with the Optimist, the field complex is the site of the Mid-American Soccer Classic held every year over two weekends in April.

Among the many events hosted by the club is the annual Ron Chasteen Field and Fishing Day at which the club hosts 500 special education students, educators and staff from the Fairfield School system all day at the club. To further enhance the enjoyment of the special education students, the club built a handicapped accessible fishing dock in 2008 and provides 100 rods and reels for use by the kids.

In addition, the Optimist Club hosts three events every year in conjunction with Butler County MRDD:  Bingo Night in March, a Fishing Derby and Picnic in August and a Halloween Party in October.

The club is involved in several other youth related activities throughout the year, including the Fairfield Optimist Memorial Scholarship awarded each year to a deserving high school senior who is a Fairfield resident.