Outdoors | What not to miss at the 28th annual Tri-Cities Sportsmen Show
Imagine this bustling scene: parents with infants in arm and small children in tow, rows and rows of vendors eager to hawk their wares.
Wind your way past senior citizens with plastic bags that bulge with freebies. A loudspeaker blare cuts through the din to announce the next special event or raffle winner. The aroma of fresh popcorn lingers in the air.
Shuyler Productions brings the popular Tri-Cities Sportsmen Show back for a 28th year to the HAPO Center on Jan. 21-23.
Daily incentives include hourly door prizes, children under 6 are admitted free and $1 off for military veterans. Seniors, 60 and older, can attend for $6 on Friday. Other deals include Kids Day on Sunday with $1 off admission for children 6 to 12.
Perhaps your interest leans toward adventure. If so, check out a wilderness trip to Alaska for salmon, a jet boat ride into the heart of Hells Canyon, or a horseback trip into the Wallowa Mountains. It doesn’t hurt to pick up a brochure and dream.
Sit for a spell at the fly tying theater where you can watch skilled hands from the Columbia Basin Flycaster Club tie patterns guaranteed to catch bass, trout, and steelhead from local waters.
Another relaxed setting involves hour-long seminars where Northwest guides, tournament anglers and other experts describe the best places to fish, along with tips and techniques for catching your favorite species. Also in the seminar room will be informative presentations on deer and waterfowl hunting.
Wander to the north arena and check out the latest menu item in Harrod’s Outdoor Cooking booth. Nearby shouts of joy showcase youngsters eager to land their first trout at the ever-popular Lunker Lake.
Volunteers from Richland’s Rod and Gun Club monitor the action. Fishing is free for kids on Sunday, compliments of the Kennewick Sportsman’s Warehouse.
Many show activities cater to families. Kids can test their climbing skills on a 24-foot-high climbing wall, nock an arrow to shoot balloons, and learn how to handle an air rifle while shooting at paper targets.
A special attraction for all ages is the All-Star Stunt Dog Show where canines demonstrate “high energy frisbee” mixed in with “mind blowing tricks,” sponsored by Legends Casino and Hotel.
Familiar with the age-old adage, “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure?”
If so, you would be interested what goes on in the Sportsman’s Marketplace, a new activity this year. Individuals can pre-register to sell their “gently used” outdoor gear for $15 a table by contacting Bev Schuyler at 509-952-1014.
If that ain’t enough fun and excitement, you might compare features and prices of the latest models of recreational boats, pickup trucks, and ATVs. I cut a deal for my first boat at an early Tri-City show. Letting wife Nancy help pick it out was one of the smarter things I ever did.
COVID protocols in effect for the three-day extravaganza include masks required for entrance and “common sense” social distancing. The show starts at noon Friday and ends Sunday at 4 pm. Don’t miss out on the action!