01/07/13 The annual Outdoor Sports, Lake & Cabin Show returns Jan. 25-27, two months earlier this year, as one of the first large consumer shows of the new year in the Tri-State area.

The total-lifestyle event will span 108,000 square-feet of the Allen County Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., in Fort Wayne and anticipates over 10,000 outdoor enthusiasts and families.

“Our new winter dates will give sportsmen ample time to stock up on gear, make necessary repairs, plan coming adventures and cash in on show-only specials,” said David Marquart, director of operations for Coliseum Productions.

The show will play host to over 150 exhibitors offering bargains, expert advice and the opportunity to compare, test and purchase top-quality products and services in the following categories:

Biking, Hiking, Camping and Fitness

Mountain bikes, touring bikes, trails, maps, tents, packs, gear, apparel, fitness equipment

Hunting and Fishing

Canadian & Alaskan outfitters, guns, rods, tackle, gear, trips, guides, apparel, accessories

Boats and Water Sports

Powerboats, sailboats, personal watercraft, canoes & kayaks, docks & piers

Vacation and Travel

Lodging, cruises, charters, guides, adventure travel, tourism bureaus, resorts, campgrounds & destinations, hunting trips, fishing trips, trails

RVs and Motor Sports

RVs, ATVs, motorcycles, trucks & accessories, jeeps, jet skis, personal watercraft, towable campers, luxury motor coaches

Cottage Living

Log cabins & timber-frame homes, one-of-a-kind rustic furnishings & décor, patio lifestyles, idyllic land parcels for sale, green building, windows, doors, decks, wood and home remodeling products

“Hunters and anglers may not see the woods or water for months,” Marquart said, “so we always offer up a wide range of interactive activities to help combat cabin fever for the entire family.”

Highlights this year include a kayak lagoon and two live fishing ponds, both back by popular demand, and a new air rifle shooting range, free motorcycle rides on a Harley-Davidson simulator and world-class lumberjack shows.

STIHL Timberworks Lumberjack Shows have been featured on ABC’s Wide World of Sports, ESPN Jeep Trails, Discovery Channel’s The Travelers, MTV’s The Real World and Road Rules, and the Outdoor Life Network. Lumberjacks will entertain audiences all weekend with nine performances filled with axe throwing, chopping, log rolling, crosscut sawing, hot sawing and chainsaw carving, all with comedic flair.

Performance times are 2, 5 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25, 11:30 a.m., 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Jan. 26, and noon and 2:30 p.m. Jan. 27.

Show features and attractions include:

  • Family fun. Showgoers will have the chance to catch and release live fish in two stocked fishing ponds. Children can compete in a fishing contest, play in a tropical oasis of sand at the 400 square-foot indoor beach, both sponsored by WLDE and WAJI, or even attempt to walk on water in the new Rockin, Rollin, Bubbles log-like human hamster balls. A 40-foot video game arcade will provide multi-player fishing and hunting games as well, free for all ages.
  • Over 50 educational seminars. Listen and watch a plethora of Gander Mountain fishing and archery professionals share tips, techniques and demos next to both local and national master hunters, log and timber-frame home designers and firearm experts as they educate visitors on a wide variety of topics on three stages all weekend.
  • RV blowout sale. Avid campers will find over an acre of trailers on display along with area campground and RV service providers to accommodate people who opt for leisure on wheels.
  • 25,000-galloon kayak lagoon. Guests can take different kayak or canoe models for a test spin, sponsored by Rock104, and see if they can cruise the show without a splash.
  • Log & timber-frame homes. Gastineau Log Homes will showcase a beautiful pre-built oak cabin on site, fully furnished and available for purchase, brought to you by K105.
  • Duck calling contest. Hunters can emulate duck calls and compete for the best quack on Saturday, Jan. 26, sponsored by Ducks Unlimited. No pre-registration is required.
  • Hourly giveaways. Every attendee will receive coupons from Dick’s Sporting Goods and have the opportunity to win thousands of dollars worth in door prizes like fishing trips, tents, bikes and kayaks, every hour of every day.

Show hours are Friday, noon to 9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost is $10 for adults, and children 12 and under are free. General show admission is valid throughout the entire weekend.

Showgoers can register for a limited-time only two-for-one deal, which holds a value of $10, online at www.SportsAndCabinShow.com, and also gain VIP access to bypass registration lines.

The Memorial Coliseum offers safe, secure and lighted parking for $4 per car in the main lot. There is a convenient drop-off and pick-up zone located in the circle drive, just off eastbound Coliseum Boulevard.

For more information on the Outdoor Sports, Lake & Cabin Show, log on www.SportsAndCabinShow.com.