Before all your focus has turned to turkey hunting and blasting that bearded gobbler, and before March Madness peaks and you’re consumed with basketball brackets, how about checking out the great shows offered this month to Louisiana sportsmen?
The Boat Show, which is owned and operated by local boat dealers, will once again be held in the Superdome. Organizers have lowered the admission price this year to only $6 each day of the event. Children under 12 get in free when accompanied by an adult.
Lionel Dowling, manager of The Boat Show, says this price reduction is in response to tough economic times.
“We want everybody to be able to afford coming to The Boat Show,” he said.
The wide selection that will be available under one roof presents a great opportunity for attendees to shop around and find the boat and price that best fits their needs.
Even if you’re not in the market for a boat, Dowling says the show will include everything from custom-built garages to great deals on fishing tackle. The Coast Guard Auxiliary, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation will also have booths present.
Dowling said there will be fishing seminars given by local charter captains, both inshore and offshore, fly-fishing seminars and also an appearance by Twiggy, the water-skiing squirrel, a fun addition for kids in attendance.
“We’re trying to make it a fun family event,” he said. “We want everyone to come out and have a great time at the show.”
The third-annual Boat Show will take place Thursday, March 4, 4-10 p.m., Friday, March 5, 4-10 p.m., Saturday, March 6, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday March 7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tickets are available for purchase at the Superdome Box Office during show hours.
You can visit www.theboatshow.net to check out a list of many of the exhibitors that will be present, or to get directions to the Superdome.
The 31st Annual Louisiana Sportsmen’s Show and Festival will also take place this month, featuring tons of great things for the fishing, boating and hunting enthusiast to see and do, and an outdoor festival everyone in the family can enjoy.
The Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales will host the event Friday, March 12, 2-9 p.m., Saturday, March 13, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday, March 14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for kids and free for military in uniform. Parking is $3 at the center.
Attendees will get a chance to check out the latest boats, motors, fishing tackle and hunting equipment on the market.
Many of the nearly 200 fishing and hunting booths will have an assortment of items available at special show prices.
Throughout the weekend at the Sportsmen’s show, guests will have plenty to keep busy, including live skeet-shooting exhibitions, a karaoke stage, a carnival midway and a rainbow-trout fishing pond for children. Another crowd favorite, the Monster Truck Rides are back this year for a small fee. An outdoor food court will be set up as well, with amazing dishes from restaurants such as Drago’s, Galatoire’s and Outback Steakhouse.
A new addition to the show this year is the Purina Incredible Dog Exhibition, where some amazing dogs will perform freestyle flying-disc routines under trainer Laura Moretz.
Avid outdoorsmen won’t want to miss the hunting and fishing seminars given by some of the area’s most well-known charter captains and outdoor experts. Outfitters will also be on hand to answer questions and help sportsmen book future trips and vacations.
The Coastal Conservation Association’s casting competition benefiting the Louisiana “Wish to Fish” program, which introduces under-privileged youths to fishing and conservation, is back again this year. For a $10 entry fee, anglers can participate in the casting challenge and help out a worthy cause.
One of the main draws of the weekend will be the “Meet the Trout Masters” event, featuring the 14 anglers showcased in the book Trout Masters: How Louisiana’s Best Anglers Catch the Lunkers by Jerald Horst. This panel of skilled fishermen will share the priceless knowledge and techniques they’ve acquired through years of experience.
For more details on show activities, check out www.lasportsmenshow.com.