By Staff
special to The Star
July 18, 2003
The 2003 Meridian Star Outdoor Expo is set to begin Friday, August 15 and run through Sunday, August 17.
Location for the Expo is the Frank Cochran Center at Highland Park in Meridian. Interest in the popular event is building among a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts and suppliers of outdoor equipment and outing opportunities.
The annual outdoor show highlights the enormous interest in hunting,
fishing, camping, boating, shooting and other sports that exists in the East Mississippi and West Alabama area. Families spend hours at the Expo enjoying displays, demonstrations and seminars that interest outdoor lovers of all ages.
The Bass Tub will be in place to entertain anglers from the youngest child to old timers, and even competitive fishers in the crowd. Sporting fish species will swim in natural appearing surroundings in the tank. A professional fisherman will provide demonstrations at the giant forty-foot aquarium that holds 4,000 to 5,000 gallons of water.
A popular program, especially for youngsters, is Terry Vandeventer's show titled "Snakes and Reptiles of Mississippi." This international authority in the field of herpetology demonstrates with live snakes the dangers, misconceptions and important facts about many snake species. He informs his audiences how to avoid snakebite, which species are harmless and other fascinating facts about snakes and reptiles in general. Vandeventer will conduct his program at 6 p.m. on Friday, 3 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
The Kids Casting event is set for 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday with prizes for winners. Young anglers will be able to show off their casting abilities and learn casting techniques from instructors.
Outstanding taxidermy, the newest outdoor products, outfitters and guides, media representatives and more will be on hand to interest those attending the Expo. A special display of the 2002 – 2003 Meridian Star Original Buck
Bounty winning mounts will appeal to many.
The Magnolia Records Program scoring session is scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Minimum score for the record book is 125 and the book will be published in 2004.
The Meridian Star Outdoor Expo provides opportunities for sportsmen and women to bring their families to a wholesome event with something for all ages. There are plenty of opportunities to talk with outfitters, gear dealers, outdoor specialists, media spokespersons and peer enthusiasts as one moves among exhibits, participates in seminars or attends demonstrations.
Doors will open on Friday at 3 p.m. and close at 8 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. On Sunday the show is set for 12 noon until 5 p.m.
For additional information, contact Barney Partridge at the Meridian Star (601) 693-1551.