PUYALLUP – Outdoor fun and adventure for the entire family returns as the 27th annual Washington Sportsmen’s Show sets up camp at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup, January 22-26.
Action-packed attractions include the new “Cowboy Fast Draw” presented by Les Schwab, the one-of-a-kind indoor “Steelhead River,” “Warm Water Demo Tank,” the “Northwest Tour of Big Game Animals” and “Head & Horns” competition. More to see and experience for the entire family include the “Fred Meyer Camp Cooking Tent” and the “Kid’s Free Trout Pond,” presented by Baxter Auto Parts–and much more.
The largest outdoor adventure show in the state offers a one-stop shopping experience, with great values on fishing and hunting gear, clothing, camping equipment, sport fishing boats and RV’s . If you’re planning a special adventure for 2014, it’s an opportunity to meet face-to-face with top professional guides and outfitters, and representatives from leading hunting and fishing lodges and resorts.
New to the show is the “Cowboy Fast Draw” presented by Les Schwab, where showgoers of all experience levels are invited to step up to a special range with classic Colt 45 style six-guns, vintage holsters and special wax bullets, says Cal Eilrich (a.k.a. Quick Cal), the colorful director of the Cowboy Fast Draw Association and a 17-Time World Fast Draw Champion.
For anglers, this show boasts new luminaries and returning favorites sharing their tips for producing “tight lines” during your next fishing adventure. Kayak fishing – one of the fastest growing segments in sport fishing – is the focus of several presentations.
All the fun and information-sharing takes place in multiple venues: seminar theaters, Steelhead River, glass-walled Warm Water Demo Tank, outdoor Fly Casting Pond and the Fly Tying Theater.
At the Lowrance Learning Center, expert Jeff Boyer previews Lowrance’s newest feature: SpotlightScan(tm)Sonar. Set for introduction in February, it delivers a new level of angler-controlled, surround-scan views-providing picture-like images of your favorite fishing areas.
Bring your smartphone to capture images of some of the biggest elk ever harvested in Washington and Oregon at the “Northwest Tour of Big Game Animals” and participate in the popular “Head & Horns” competition. Hunters are invited to bring heads, horns or horn/antler sheds to be measured and scored by Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young representatives. This popular attraction is made possible through sponsorship support by Fort Knox Safes, Bushnell Outdoor Products, Ruger, ATK/Federal Premium Ammunition and Les Schwab.
The youngsters aren’t left out of the action: the “Kid’s FREE Trout Pond” provides kids 12 and under with the opportunity to catch-and-keep or release two trout. Sponsored by Baxter Auto Parts, the pond is stocked with thousands of trout. All the gear is provided at no
charge-including fishing poles, bait and take-home bags.
Wilderness survival and outdoor safety expert Peter Kummerfeldt returns to the show for his 19th year with a rucksack full of new and updated presentations. Presented by Toyota, they include the popular “Procuring Wild Foods” in survival situations, “Making Water Safe to Drink” and “Wilderness Medicine”-where he urges “medical basic training” for outdoor enthusiasts.
The “Fred Meyer Camp Cooking Tent” returns as celebrity camp cooks share tasty recipes for easy-to-prepare meals. Camp Chef and Franz support the fun as Herb Good, Tiffany Haugen and Dutch Oven guru “Cee Dub” Welch prepare tasty, no-fuss recipes in hourly presentations all five days of the show. 2014 Washington Sportsmen’s Show-Hours/Admission & Parking: Show hours are 12:00 noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday (Jan. 22-24); 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday (Jan. 25); and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday (Jan. 26).
Admission is $12 for adults; juniors (6-16) are $5; and children five and under are admitted free. $18 two-day passes are also available. For information on online ticket purchases and discounts, visit www.thesportshows.com.
Show parking at the fairgrounds is FREE every day of the show.