If you go
What: Dayton Boat, Sportsman and Fishing Show
Where: Airport Expo Center, Vandalia
When: March 7-9 (Friday 1-8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Cost: $8 (children 12-under free; parking free)
Information and coupons: rvandboatshow.com
Saying his new show will provide “a little bit of everything for all ages,” Cincinnati promoter Hague Atkinson brings an array of boats, RVs, ATVs and sports equipment to the Dayton area with the coming weekend’s Dayton Boat, Sportsman and Fishing Show.
“We think people are enthusiastic about getting outdoors after the horrible winter weather we’ve been having and what better way of doing that than coming to the boat and sportsman show?,” Atkinson said. “And we have set it up to have something for people in all age groups.”
Atkinson will fill the Airport Expo Center with boats from four dealers, RVs from three dealers and ATVs and motorcycles from another.
There will also be hunting seminars with champion bowhunter Bill Epeards and fishing seminars with members of the Miami Valley Fly Fishers.
Among the several hands-on exhibits will be the Bowhunter Challenge. You can bring your own bow or use one provided and for $20 you can compete for prizes shooting at moving 3-D targets. The entry fee includes admission to the show.
Antique lure expert Tom Petkowitz of Greenville will be doing free appraisals of lures and other fishing and hunting equipment. You can bring any old lures, etc. and find out what they are worth.
“It’s a little like the ‘Antiques Road Show’ for fishing lures,” Atkinson said. “They are like pieces of artwork.”
Hunters can also bring in antlers for scoring by Ohio Big Bucks.
For more information about the show, call toll free at (855) 640-9944, ext 301 or visit rvandboatshow.com.
Fishing instructors: The Ohio Division of Wildlife has set up two free one-day Passport to Fishing instructor certification courses at District Five Headquarters, 1076 Old Springfield Pike, Xenia. The first course will be 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday with a registration deadline of Monday. The second course will be 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on April 5 with a registration deadline of March 31.
The idea is to interest more people in fishing and using proper techniques to teach kids and beginning anglers the basics of fishing.
To register for a workshop, call Brant Fulks, at (937) 347-0929 or email brant.fulks@dnr.state.oh.us. For additional information, visit wildohio.com.
Maple time: Hueston Woods State Park in Preble County will hold its annual Maple Syrup Festival March 8-9. A pancake breakfast will be available for a small fee from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. Free tours of the park's sugar bush will originate at the main beach parking lot from noon to 4 p.m. each day. Park staff will explore the process of maple sugaring from the methods used by Native Americans to the way maple syrup is made today. Call the park office at (513) 523-6347 for more information.
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