By going outside, door opens to hands-on opportunities
If there is one major thing that most outdoors shows, which promote hunting or fishing equipment, share in common, oddly enough, it is the indoors.
“Very limiting to their scope,” said Dan Robinson, one of three Metro Jackson sportsmen who decided to step out of the box … or out of the door, so to speak. “Seems that by going outdoors in the right place, you would have the opportunity for a more hands-on show. That’s better for exhibitors and lots better for the consumer.”
Their theory gets tested this weekend at the first Ultimate Outdoors Expo, which opens Friday at the Mississippi Off-Road Adventure Park just east of I-55 in South Jackson. Show hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 daily or $20 for a three-day pass for ages 16 and over, and $5 daily for children ages 5-15. Admission is free to children under 5.
“I think this Expo has the potential to be the biggest outdoor show in the state,” Robinson said. “This will be the first such thing that is actually held outdoors In Mississippi, and that’s really how all outdoor shows ought to be.
“Think about it. Why are all outdoors shows held indoors? That’s the same question that a friend and I asked one day last winter when we were sitting around on the porch at the farm. We kept talking about it and realized that it was something we needed to seriously look into.”
The more people they asked, Robinson said, the more obvious it became that such an outdoor Outdoors Expo was needed.
“Everybody loved the idea, and got behind it and then we found the perfect place when we contacted Jeff Perrett at the Mississippi Off-Road Adventures Park; he was all up in it,” Robinson said. “He’s got over 700 acres at the part that we can use and it includes all kinds of terrain that is ideal for an outdoors show.
“What we will be able to offer exhibitors and customers is an opportunity to test-drive products in a hands-on situation.”
Those hands-on opportunities include:
* Gun and 3-D archery ranges
* Demonstration areas for tractors, ATV’s/UTV’s, golf cars and outdoor power equipment
* Boating/waterfowl area
* Retriever training
“We even have a free campground area on-site this weekend,” Robinson said.
In addition to scores of hunting and fishing vendors, events will include seminars by biologists and hunting/fishing experts, food vendors, a fun zone for kids and monster mud trucks.
The show promises some interesting new equipment exhibits.
“Carry-All Boats out of Arkansas will have a jon boat that the front tilts down like a military landing craft so you can drive a 4-wheeler into it,” Robinson said. “Gator Trax Boats from Louisiana will have a couple very unique low profile duck blinds that are actually small boats.
“And, a Mississippi company, Superior Outdoor Supply from Louin, has a new treestand that is unlike any treestand I have ever seen. It pivots 360 degrees and is fully adjustable while on the tree. You have to see it to believe it.”
And this weekend, you can see that and do it outside in a tree.
Scheduled Exhibitors
Van’s Sporting Goods
Strike Hold
Mossy Oak Properties Recreational & Timberland Sales
Line X of Jackson
MWFP Foundation
Larry Smith-Vaniz Realty
Superior Outdoor Supply
AntBees Vending
Sartain’s Heritage Properties
Brown’s Gunsmith
Camper Corral
Reed’s Metals
Limit Out Supply
Watson Quality Ford
Rick’s Pro Truck
Pat Man Fan Club
Tom Smith Land
Republic Services
A.M. Calls
Muddy Water Camo
Southern Beverage Company
Blue Ribbon Kennels
Magnolia Retrievers
The Welding Works
Rolling Video Games of MS
Burgers and Blues
Space Jump of Jackson
Gregg’s A-List
Jr. Olympic Archery Development
Mississippi Ag
Bass Pro Shops
Mississippi Sportsman Magazine
The Radio People
CCBR Metal Buildings
Haygood Game Calls
Gulf States Golf Cars
The Tractor Store
Gator Trax Boats
Paul Meek Outdoors
Southern Obsession
NRA
Hammer Stahl
Amazing Animal Presentations
Southern Waterfowl Retrievers
Mississippi Trappers Assn.
Polar Snow
Tail Spin Waterfowl
Let-Em-Lite Calls
Headcrusher Calls
Got Gear Motorsports
Southern Caliber Apparel
Carry All Boats
Mosquito Mist Control
Womack Firearms
Custom Knives by Arthur
P & P Beaver Control
Up in Smoke Bar-B-Que
Dillon Manufacturing
MS Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks
MWFP Foundation Super Hunt
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