Sometimes, week after week of gray skies and lack of sunshine can take a toll on you. Then all of a sudden the sun pops out, temperatures climb and everyone’s thoughts turn to springtime outdoor adventures.
For 69 years the Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show has been inspiring families to take part in outdoor lifestyles. The annual event began Friday and continues today and Sunday and then resumes Feb. 21-25 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Billed as one of the largest in the nation, the show encompasses over 750,000 square feet of almost everything outdoors, indoors.
This is the perfect place to book a trip of a lifetime or see, touch and compare the new boat, RV, motorcycle or other power sport purchase you’ve been contemplating. With nearly six acres of boats and four acres of RVs, you’ll find the hugest selection of new models. You also have the opportunity to talk to hundreds of industry experts all under one roof and all in one trip.
If fishing is your thing or if you want to explore fishing as your new hobby you’ll love TackleTown USA — an entire building overflowing with fishing tackle, rods and reels, canoes, kayaks and expert fisherman who will share their knowledge to help you be a better fisherman.
Have you ever seen the Hawg Trough? It’s a 4,000-gallon aquarium where the experts show you how species of fish react to fishing techniques and various baits. You can listen to Scott Martin talking about bass fishing; Wally Marshall, AKA Mr. Crappie, who will be talking about crappie; Mike McKinstry, the Bassquatch Hunter, will be presenting about kayak fishing; and Mike DelVisco will teach you about sonar and of course.
There will also be kids fishing presentations by Dan Armitage. Speaking of kids and fishing, be sure to check out Kids Trout Fishing, it’s an experience they will always remember.
You won’t want to miss the Kayak Fishing Showcase where you can experience the latest innovations in fishing kayak technology. The top manufacturers in the industry will showcase their products and there’s even a demo pool! You’re sure to find the perfect kayak for your fishing, hunting or recreational needs.
One thing all outdoor enthusiasts share in common is their love of adventure, the wilderness, the water and creating new memories with families and friends. The Travel & Tourism Pavilion is the place where you can meet face to face with travel experts and talk with the people who can give you the best advice for your trip. Travel destinations such as houseboat rentals, Canadian hunting and fishing lodges, camping, African Safaris as well as regional CVB’s promoting their areas.
The Ultimate Camp Cooking comedy duo returns to the Show this year sharing quick and easy campsite friendly meals that minimize mess and clean up and are huge with flavor. Comedians Pat Mac and Mike “The Big Cheese” Faverman (aka “Mac & The Big Cheese”) venture into campgrounds, tailgates, and any outdoor setting around the world to cook gourmet meals for total strangers who become “cast members” and a live audience. Mac & the Big Cheese share their knowledge and obvious love of food, creating a warm, festive atmosphere for everyone to come together like a big family.
Food and laughter, memories, and friends — the ingredients to a happy life.
If you’re best friend sports four legs, the Sport Show is going to the dogs this year. In addition to the daily K9 X Games Show (the popular dock-diving sport), K 9 University will also feature new seminars on Outdoor Adventures with Your K 9! Why leave your dog at home or kenneled when you go on your outdoor adventure? Now you don’t have to, K 9 University will talk about how to train your pet and you for a safe and fun adventure. These informative seminars cover topics on safety and getting you up to speed on how you can take your pets with you in the great outdoors.
Kids Day on Saturday, Feb. 24, is one of the things many look forward to — getting kids started on their love for the outdoors. The first 500 kids through the door receive a free Wormgear rod-and-reel combo.
Maybe you want to hit the open road for some 2-wheel adventure on a motorcycle — the Show can help with that too! You’ll see several of the area’s best motorcycle dealers displaying a vast selection of bikes. If you’re interested in motorcycling, visit the Pioneers of Hoosier Motorcycling and learn from the Pioneers that helped make motorcycling the fun, family sport that it is today.
You will also have the opportunity to look at historic displays of motorcycles, equipment and memorabilia all from the private collections of the men and woman who made motorcycling history right here in Indiana. ABATE of Indiana provides Tiny Tots — a fun riding adventure for children. This free feature’s purpose is to give children the thrill of riding a kid-sized electric motorcycle, no experience, no problem.
The 26th annual Indiana Deer, Turkey and Waterfowl Expo is held Feb. 23-25. This three-day event is the Midwest’s premier hunting expo and showcases such features as Archery Alley, the Manufacturers Archery Demo Lanes, the Hoosier Record Book Trophy Buck Display, Deer Scoring, Outfitters from Around the Globe, Waterfowl Flyways (an amazing selection of all things waterfowl-hunting related), Indiana Hunter Education, and the Youth Archery Range (a free kids activity). New this year will be the Huff Buck, which scored a whopping 211 4/8 typical in Boone & Crocket, which makes it Indiana’s largest ever and the world’s second-largest buck.
You won’t want to miss the Seminar Series which includes Cody Robbins, producer of the TV show Live2Hunt, Tom Mesnard speaking about Land Management, Bill Epeards, presenting on Turkey Hunting, Jessica Outcalt and Ed Oehlman speaking on Wildlife Ecology and Forestry. Also included is a seminar on training your dog to hunt morels! Brian Wilson, head trainer at Wilson’s Dog Training will share tips, techniques and insight into how he successfully hunts morels with dogs.
For show hours, admission prices and more show details, check their website at IndySportShow.com.
