Excitement is growing as the date draws near for the first Douglas Hunting, Fishing, & Outdoors Expo that will be held at Central Square Complex in downtown Douglas, August 26-27, 2011. Partners such as Gopher Plantation, the Boy Scouts of America, Douglas Police Department, General Coffee State Park, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia State Patrol, National Wild Turkey Federation, the National Rifle Association, the Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation, and Van McCall “God in the Hunt”, have worked thoroughly to provide attendees with activities, vendors and workshops that are sure to be a delight for anyone to enjoy! Two sponsor spaces remain available and only 9 indoor spaces remain before filling both gymnasiums.
Activities will include laser & fishing Simulators, BB Gun Range, Impaired Driving Simulator, DNR’s Hunter Education Skills Challenge, “Let’s Get Wild” Outdoor Education Show, petting zoo, waterslides, camping exhibitions, mechanical bull riding, and the first Coffee County 4-H Wild Game Cookoff.
“We are receiving many phone calls daily and the excitement is building,” says Georgia Henderson, Central Services Director. “I am so excited that we have been able to work with our partners to make this event full of demonstrations, workshops, and hands-on activities!”
The DNR’s Hunter Safety Education class will be offered on Friday at 5pm-8pm and Saturday at 10am-12pm in the Magnolia Meeting room. Register online for the course at http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us. Van McCall “God in the Hunt”, will offer his “Hunting
Southern Style” workshop in the Dogwood meeting room at 11am on Saturday, August 27th.
Offsite there will be a “Make A Break” Sporting Clays Competition held at Top Shots
Sporting Clays Club, LLC where the top shooters in two age divisions will receive a new gun.
The Make a Break Competition will be held Friday, August 26 from 8am-8pm and on Saturday,
August 27 from 8am – 4pm. For more information on the “Make a Break” Sporting Clays
Competition call Top Shots Sporting Clays Club, LLC. at (912) 384-0060.
For the person who wants a “real” taste of wild game, there will be a Wild Game Supper on Friday night, August 26th, at the C.E. Weir Center. Tickets are on sale at the Central Services Office located at Central Square Complex. The guest speaker for the supper will be the host of the Outdoor Channel Outfitters, Neil Rohrbach. Tickets will be $13.00 per person. The Wild Game Supper sponsors are Gopher Plantation, Coca Cola Bottling Company, Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and Outdoor Channel Outfitters. Everyone will have a chance to hear “hunting & fishing tips” from a celebrity while tasting some of the best Wild Game cooking around!
Attendees will have the chance to register to win giveaways at exhibitor booths. Giveaways will include Outdoor Channel Outfitters Hunting Trip and Gear, Top Shots Sporting Clays Club Half Day Two Man Quail Hunt, City of Douglas Gas Department gas cooker and gas grill, Gopher Plantation Hunt Giveaway, The Leather Wagon’s three customized belts, Lowe’s gas grill, National Rifle Association t-shirts and video, and other items at booths in both gymnasiums. Sponsor alley will be filled with exhibits from Coca Cola, Top Shots Sporting Clays Club, LLC., Georgia Hunting & Fishing Federation, Department of Natural Resources, and Dixie Home-Crafters. Other exhibitors will include Nipper’s Nook, Maca-Jig, Lowe’s, BCP Hog Traps, Gopher Plantation, Moore Than Graphics, RADA knives, Eicher’s Pro Vinyl and Roofing, Douglas Lions Club, National Rifle Association, Coastal Angler, Flint River Creations, Gunter’s Fishing Supply, Fred’s Leather Shop, Hobby Hoe, Coffee County 4-H Youth, Lott Marine, Van McCall “God in the Hunt”, Norris Shoes, “Let’s Get Wild” Outdoor Education Show, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and Georgia State Patrol. As with any large event, food vendors will be on site with some of the best food you can taste! Food vendors include Brick City Barbecue, Mr. Lloyd’s Pork Skins and Cracklings, and K & K Sausage Dogs.
“We have the exhibitors, we have the giveaways, we have the food, and we have the fun, hands-on activities for children and adults,” says Henderson. “Now, we need the community to take an active part in the Expo, by coming out on August 26 & 27th to show their support.”
The hours for the Hunting, Fishing, and Outdoor Expo on Friday, August 26 will be 11am-7pm and Saturday, August 27, 9am – 6pm. Children 12 and under are free and adult admission is $8.00 ($3.00 discount given at the door). For more information, please contact the Central Services Department at (912)383-0277 or go to www.CityofDouglas.com/HFO.
