Ten days of everything outdoors
Nation’s premier boat, sport and travel show returns to Indianapolis February 15-24
INDIANAPOLIS – The Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show has delighted Indiana’ s outdoors enthusiasts and rescued countless families from the throes of February’s cabin fever for nearly 60 years. Indeed, since its humble beginnings in 1953, the Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show has evolved to become the largest outdoor show of its kind in the nation – and likely the most anticipated as well.
Scheduled for February 15-24 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, the Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show draws outdoor enthusiasts and curious fun-seekers from across the Midwest with nearly 600,000 square-feet of one-of-a-kind outdoor attractions and exhibits and two distinct consumer expositions. The popular Indiana Deer, Turkey and Waterfowl Expo will anchor the opening weekend of the show, February 15-17, while the unique Indiana Motorcycle Expo will take place during the closing weekend, February 22-24. If ever there existed an outdoor show for everyone, this is it.
Encompassing over 13-acres under roof, the Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show provides a unique brand of outdoor excitement in six distinct pavilions.
With 180,000 square-feet, the Boat Pavilion will throttle visitors with incredible deals on all manner of the latest watercraft, while the 150,000 square-foot RV Pavilion showcases a massive display of the newest motor homes and travel trailers. Angling aficionados will be stunned by the incredible array of cutting edge fishing tackle and hard-to-find gear inside the 70,000 square-foot Tackle Town. It’s a crowd favorite, and back bigger than ever this year. Enthusiasts of fly fishing, bicycling, paddling and backpacking can check out specialized, high-tech gear and equipment for these and other eco-recreational pursuits inside the 70,000 square-foot Quiet Sports and Outdoor Living Pavilion – one of the largest displays of its kind in the central United States. Looking for a place to enjoy all this outdoor gear? The 50,000 square-foot Travel and Tourism Pavilion boasts over 150 exhibitors representing some of the finest outdoor and family-oriented lodges, resorts, camps and destinations from throughout the United States and Canada. Finally, the 70,000 square-foot Expo Hall houses the ever-popular Deer, Turkey and Waterfowl Expo and the adrenaline-pounding Motorcycle Expo during the opening and closing weekends, respectively.
59th Annual Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show: February 15-24, 2013 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds
Show organizer Kevin Renfro invites attending individuals and families to find their own brand of adventure at this year’s Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, February 15-25 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. “We have hundreds of unique exhibitors folks can talk with about all manner of outdoor products and services,” says Renfro. “They’re the true backbone of our show… but our constantly evolving lineup of exciting, informative and educational features and attractions represent the icing on the cake”, he continues.
Tackle Town
The ever-popular Tackle Town will once again greet visitors with nearly two-acres of all things angling. Like your neighborhood bait shop on steroids, Tackle Town shows visitors over 100 unique exhibitors offering cutting edge, hard-to-find fishing tackle, gear and accessories at special show prices. Tackle Town has everything for the fisherman or fishing family, including charter fishing captains and guides who can take you to the big ones, the Kids’ Zone casting area and trout fishing pond, and an incredible array of other interesting events and attractions.
Jason Roberts owns Honey Creek Tackle in Bargersville, IN and has been exhibiting at Tackle Town for seven years. “We’ve been one of the larger exhibitors in Tackle Town the past few years”, says Roberts, who is donating 500 rods and reels to give away to the first 500 kids through the door of Tackle Town during ‘Kids Day’ on Saturday, February 16. “People come to the show to see the very latest fishing tackle and electronics, so they expect to see us there and it is a great opportunity for our staff to share its knowledge and expertise with existing and new customers… it’s great exposure for our store”, he concludes.
Check out the latest angling tricks and techniques from the nation’s top fishing pros at daily seminars conducted atop the 4,000-gallon Hawg Trough – a massive aquarium loaded with all manner of lunker game fish. Additionally, an all-star panel of FLW pros will talk fishing and answer your individual questions during the interactive ‘Ask the Pros Seminar Series’, taking place during both weekends of the show. Angling superstars Babe Winkelman, Joe Thomas, three-time FLW Fisherman-of-the-Year David Dudley, 2012 FLW Forrest Wood Cup Champion Jacob Wheeler and FLW pros Ted Takasaki, Todd Hollowell and Billy McDonald will headline this year’s all-star fishing seminar lineup. Outdoor communicator, Dan Armitage will also return this year with his popular and entertaining kids fishing seminars, while a who’s who of Indiana and the Midwest’s best pro anglers will shed welcomed light on species-specific tips and tactics for bass, crappie, muskie, stripers, catfish and carp. Mike Delvisco will provide invaluable insights on bass fishing, while well-known Indiana fishing guides Chae Dolsen and Mike Hulbert share their experiences chasing giant muskies on Northern Indiana’s blue ribbon muskie waters Additional can’t-miss seminars will be given by Charlie Hildreth on crappies, Randall Gibson on striped bass, and Gilbert Huxley on carp.
If Tackle Town doesn’t have the gear and information you are looking for, neither does anyone else!
Boat and RV Pavilions
Boats and RVs have always been a mainstay of the Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, and over seven acres will be dedicated to these vessels for family fun at this year’s show.
From 40-foot cruisers to all manner of fishing boats, ski boats and personal watercraft, the Boat Pavilion will showcase hundreds of the latest watercraft along with boating lifestyle products and accessories from many of the best dealers across Indiana.
Mike Gross of Pinecrest Marine is excited to return to the Boat Pavilion at this year’s show. “We have three dealerships in Indiana and do a lot of consumer sports shows,” says Gross. “The Indianapolis Boat, Sports and Travel Show is by far the best show we attend… it’s a big show, the people are super and it’s a great opportunity for folks to come out and get a really great deal on a new boat,” he continues. Visitors to Pinecrest’s booth in the Boat Pavilion can expect to see a variety of brand new watercraft models, including Mastercraft’s cutting-edge XStar wakeboard boat and the sporty 24-foot R5 from Cobalt.
Likewise, visitors will find the RV Pavilion jam-packed with great deals on all kinds of cutting-edge RVs. From lightweight towables to motor homes to fifth wheels, the RV Pavilion is the one place to see them all.
Of course, boat and RV dealers attending the show don’t want to take their inventory home with them, so make an offer! On the spot financing, factory incentives and special show prices promise to make purchasing a boat or RV at the show easier and more affordable than ever.
Travel and Tourism Pavilion
Planning a vacation using the online travel sites is always a gamble. How do you know that what you see on your computer screen is what you’ll find when you arrive? And how do you really know you are getting the best value?
Deal directly with the folks who can answer your questions.
The 50,000 square-foot Travel and Tourism Pavilion is the definitive place to plan your next family vacation, fishing trip, wilderness hunt or other unique outdoor excursion. With over 150 private, local, state and even national travel professionals representing exciting destinations in 25 states and three countries, no matter what kind of travel experience you’re looking for – from wilderness lodges, houseboats and hunting and fishing resorts to beaches to fairways -- you’ll be sure to find it at the Travel and Tourism Pavilion.
Many of these exhibitors are owners and operators of the lodges, resorts and camps they represent. Talk with them all and deal with those you like. Since you’ll be dealing direct, you’re not paying a middleman so more of your money stays in your pocket. Bring the family and start getting excited. You’re almost on vacation.
Quiet Sports and Outdoor Living Pavilion
Human-powered adventure activities like, hiking, paddling, mountain biking, rock-climbing and fly fishing may leave a small ecological footprint, but are as hard-core as the ever-growing number of enthusiasts who practice them. Sometimes referred to as the quiet sports, these activities are some of the fastest-growing outdoor recreational pursuits. And in this case, quiet certainly doesn't mean dull or mundane.
The 70,000 square-foot Quiet Sports and Outdoor Living Pavilion at the Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show provides an unequaled opportunity to see the best quiet sports gear and learn from some of the best and most experienced adventure paddlers, backpackers, mountaineers and other quiet sports moguls in the world. Additionally, attractions like the Peak Adventure Rock Wall, the Fly Fishing Demonstration Pond and the Canoe and Kayak Challenge Pond provide hands-on opportunities.
One-of-a-kind seminars from some of the world's top experts are a primary focus at this year's Quiet Sports Expo. Cliff Jacobson is one of North America's most respected outdoors writers, wilderness guides, national and foreign consultants, and is the most published canoeing/camping writer of this century. He’ll be sharing his vast experiences and providing a variety of seminars including Camping's Top Secrets. Noblesville school teacher and former Outward Bound instructor, Darlene Patterson will treat visitors to at least two unique seminars covering the nuts and bolts of canoe packing, as well as perspectives on solo paddling in the fabled Boundary Waters Canoe Area of northeastern Minnesota and Ontario's Quetico Provincial Park. The man known as Tuts is one of North America's greatest adventurers and foremost experts on long distance hiking. Tuts will be at the Quiet Sports and Outdoor Living Pavilion during the second weekend of the show to give a fascinating seminar on the logistics of backpacking the Appalachian Trail -- one of America's greatest and most challenging marked hiking trails, extending approximately 2,200 miles from northern Georgia to central Maine.
Of course, the Quiet Sports and Outdoor Living Pavilion offers much more than top-notch seminars. Over 100 exhibitors will provide opportunities to see, touch and in some cases even try the very latest adventure sports equipment, from climbing and mountaineering accessories to kayaks, bicycles, fly fishing gear and more. Other exhibitors will be on hand to provide attendees with hard-to-find, where-to information on quiet sports opportunities in and around Indiana.
For more information, visit www.quietsportsexpo.com
Beginning Monday, January 21st, adults save $2 on admission when they purchase Advance Discount Tickets to the Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show at Marsh Supermarkets. Saturday February 16th is Kids’ Day! The first 500 kids through the door receive a free rod and reel combo courtesy of Honey Creek Tackle! For the latest show features, seminar schedules and information, or to purchase tickets online, go to www.indianapolisboatsportandtravelshow.com.
Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show hours:
Fridays, February 15 & 22, 3 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturdays, February 16 & 23, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sundays, February 17 & 24, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday, February 18, 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Tuesday-Thursday, February 19-21, 3 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Admission prices:
$13 Adults
$11 Seniors (60+)
$8 Kids (6-12)
FREE All kids 5 years of age and under
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