By Staff
SLITHERING TO SAFETY Terry Vandeventer, the self-proclaimed "Snake Dude," holds up a Cornsnake during his snake safety presentation at The Meridian Star's Outdoors Expo on Saturday. PHOTO BY KYLE CARTER / THE MERIDIAN STAR
By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Aug. 17, 2003
Hundreds of outdoors enthusiasts turned out Saturday for the second day of The Meridian Star's 2003 Outdoors Expo at the Frank Cochran Center.
Some families walked the aisles and browsed the various booths while others pulled up a chair to watch amphibian expert Terry Vandeventer's showcase of Mississippi snakes.
Venders from around the South set up booths to sell their latest products.
This year's expo, which ends today, marked the third year of the event which features booths filled with everything from turkey calls to fishing lures, live demonstrations by outdoors experts, and a 5,000-gallon Bass Tub stocked with live crappie, perch, white bass and catfish.
Barney Partridge, organizer of the event and advertising director of The Meridian Star, said he has been pleased with the turnout.
More booths filled the Cochran Center this year as the expo continues to grow, Partridge said.
Among them was Ducks Unlimited a wetlands conservation organization.
Ward 5 Meridian City Councilman Bobby Smith, who serves as area chairman for Ducks Unlimited, greeted customers at the Ducks Unlimited booth near the entrance of the expo.
Today's Expo
Here's a look at today's schedule of events at The Meridian Star's 2003 Outdoors Expo. Today is the final day of the three-day event at the Frank Cochran Center in Meridian.
Vendors' booths are open from noon-5 p.m.
Noon Bass Tub demonstration
2 p.m. Terry Vandeventer/"Snakes of
Mississippi"
3 p.m. Bass Tub demonstration