Hunting, fishing products, jambalaya cookoff, family activities to be highlighted at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center.
Louisiana’s largest outdoor show takes over the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, March 9-11, to showcase the latest and greatest products the outdoor community has to offer.
The 33rd Louisiana Sportsmen’s Show & Festival will feature more than 200 vendors, many with special show-only deals and entertainment for the whole family.
Two buildings will be filled with hunting, fishing, camping and farm equipment from exhibitors across the Gulf Coast, with outdoor guides and trip planners available to answer your questions and help you book your dream excursion. There will also be a giant outdoor display of boats, motors, ATVs and personal watercraft from the area’s leading dealers.
“The big addition to this year’s show is our RV section,” said show director Jack Fisher. “And the boat exhibits are about 50 percent larger than they were last year.
“We’ve also expanded our tractor and lawnmower section.”
The Sportsmen’s Show has no shortage of fun activities for adults and kids alike.
“We’ll have Midway carnival rides, a rock-climbing wall, bungee jumping, a live trout pond, face painting and – back by popular demand – monster truck rides,” said Fisher.
Special events include the inaugural Louisiana Sportsman Open bass tournament, where anglers will vie for a guaranteed 10,000 top prize. The two-day competition, sponsored by Skeeter and Yamaha, will be a two-man team event with the top 20 teams all receiving checks.
“It will be a Bassmaster Classic style weigh-in,” said Fisher. “Teams will enter with their boats on trailers and will walk onto the stage to weigh their fish.”
Bring your best fishing buddy and join the fun. Participants must pre-register online and attend a captain’s meeting on March 7 at Cabela’s.
The Big Buck Contest returns this year to award prizes to the top scoring deer in seven different categories.
A random drawing will also reward one lucky hunter just for entering the contest.
“Bring any scoreable buck, and you’re eligible to win a brand-new Yamaha ATV,” said Fisher.
The first-annual Louisiana Sportsman Jambalaya Cook-off will fittingly take place in the “Jambalaya Capital of the World.”
Open to anyone with a mean jambalaya recipe, the entry fee is $150, and a member of the cooking team must attend a March 1 meeting. Several main ingredients will be provided, and winners will take away cash and trophies.
“Locals from the Ascension Parish area will judge the cook-off,” Fisher said.
Young cooks also have a chance to show off their budding culinary skills in the mini-pot competition for a nominal $10 fee. Log on to the website for a full list of rules and to download the registration form.
The Splash Dogs exhibition is not only a dock-diving competition for dogs to test their skills; it’s 100 percent fun for dogs, their owners and everyone watching. Dogs of all breeds are welcome to take part in this great new sport.
“For the dog lovers out there, I think this could be big,” said Fisher. “Bring your dog and let them compete.”
Click here to register you dog for the Splash Dog exhibition.
And there’s no reason anyone should leave the show hungry. Local restaurants will be on hand with some fantastic offerings. Guests will also be able to enjoy samples from the Jambalaya Cook-off.
Don’t miss out! Make plans now to be at this year’s show.
