Woods-N-Water News Outdoor Weekend…September 5, 6, and 7 in Imlay City
At our first Woods-N-Water News Outdoor Weekend maybe a thousand people attended. It overwhelmed me and our small staff at the time. We understood though, we had stumbled on to something with potential.
And so now, 28 years later our small staff is still putting on “Outdoor Weekends” at the same location, (the Eastern Michigan Fairgrounds, Imlay City) and as always the first weekend after Labor Day, September 5-7.
Even though our staff is still relatively small, the Outdoor Weekend has done some growing. Well, a lot of growing. Today we draw crowds in excess of 15,000 visitors and well over 225 exhibitors. What started out as a promotional idea for our fledgling outdoor publication has now taken on a life of its own.
Although the years have added up, the Outdoor Weekend is much as it was all those years ago. We have timely and informative seminar speakers, quality outdoor merchandise to purchase, entertainment and lots of hands-on things to see and do. Like the past few shows all available space is sold out.
It has become a fall tradition, as we like to promote, “A Celebration of our Outdoor Heritage.”
It’s hard to come to the Outdoor Weekend without a walk through the “Puppy Tent” loaded with hunting breed dogs for sale. Oh, and don’t be mad at us if the kids find a pup too cute not to take home.
Other popular events are Randy’s Hunting Center gun auction, Steve Francis field dressing a whitetail, the Chili Cook-Off, chainsaw carving contest, the frontier encampments and much more. Plain and simple, there is just a lot for everyone in the entire family to enjoy.
There is great carnival type food, as well as traditional buffalo burgers and turkey drums. And we will have some of the state’s very best jerky and venison stick samples. Wash it all down at the Imlay City Rotary Club’s Refreshment Tent.
The Ultimate Air Dogs is also returning and has become a very popular event. Former Detroit Tiger pitcher, Milt Wilcox, will crown a new champion for what has become a respected national competition, with competitors from all over the country. If you have a dog that loves to jump, there is a chance he/she could find their way into the finals, by qualifying on Friday night. (See our special pull out section in this issue for more details.)
Another popular attraction is a chance to see live wild animals. In the past you have seen trophy whitetails, black bears, fox, and even a timber wolf. It’s one of the few chances you’ll have to get up close and face to face with a timber wolf or a big ol’ bear.
Something that is new this year is a chance to play Archery Tag, it’s like paint ball but with safe and harmless arrows. Bring your friends and family members and see who’s the best shot.
The plans are in place for this year’s Outdoor Weekend, but as always, there are still many loose ends to tidy-up. We are appreciative of our exhibitors, sponsors and show-goers, so mark your calendars for September, 5th, 6th and 7th. The Outdoor Weekend opens on Friday, Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. and closes at 9 p.m., Saturday the show hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Price to get in is $8 per adult and 12 and under free. It is also free to park.
All of us here at the Woods-N-Water News look forward to seeing you all again, same place, same time and same price.
For more information visit our website at: www.woods-n-waternews.com or
