Bigger than ever expo on the horizon

Celebrating its fifth year, the 2013 Lincoln County Wildlife Expo this month promises to be bigger than ever, featuring new attractions, products and live chainsaw-inspired wooden art.

The expo will be held 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, and 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, in the Lincoln Civic Center

All proceeds from the expo will benefit Woods, Wheels & Waters, a non-profit charity that takes terminally ill and physically challenged individuals on fishing and hunting trips.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to help an organization such as Woods, Wheels & Waters. They do an amazing job at what they do,” commented Quinn Jordan, civic center director and expo manager.

Artist Burt Fleming of WoodBCreations will return to the expo this year to sculpt giant blocks of wood into sponsor logos, animals and an 18-wheeler complete with smoke stacks using his personal tool of choice: a chainsaw.

The expo will have a big buck picture contest sponsored by Co-lin Feed and Seed and Brookhaven Milling Co. New for 2013, the expo will also have a trail camera picture contest. Both contest sponsors will give out cash prices.

As part of the 3D Archery Shoot exhibit, archery enthusiasts will have the opportunity to shoot at 10 different, animal-shaped targets. Archers will shoot from four different stations with three of the shots coming from a 10-foot platform. Cost will be $20 for the first round and $10 for each additional round (per day).

Students in the Archery in Mississippi School’s program, or AIMS, will be allowed free entry into the shoot, provided they use their AIMS bow for the event.

Chris Patton, founder of Woods, Wheels & Waters Outdoors, hints at something unique this year. “Ten targets in seven minutes, what a challenge. We also plan on doing something a little different this year. People are going to be excited to see what we’ve come up with.”

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Park will return to the expo and have an arcade style shooting game, which utilizes a laser gun similar to the one in “Duck Hunt.” Part of the goal of the MDWFP is to “raise awareness for fishing and hunting in children,” according to their website.

Expo admission (13 and up) is $5 for adults and $3 for children 7 to 12. Children 6 and under are free.

Jordan expects to give away thousands of dollars in door prizes at the expo. With the purchase of a ticket, expo participants are automatically given a ticket that could win a gun for adults or a bow for kids.

Kids will be drawn to an activity and jumper center, as well as an alligator show. New to the expo this year will be an opportunity for kids to take part in a “hand grab.” After receiving instructions, children will then be allowed to jump into a water tank and have the chance to catch a catfish with their hands.

One lucky participant will learn that he/she has been chosen for an outdoors adventure, all courtesy of Woods, Wheels & Waters. Five families of four will receive a similar trip package, provided they “like” the Wildlife Expo Facebook page, or end up recommending the highest number of site visitors.

Broma’s Deli and the Mississippi Ice Cream Factory will be two of the food vendors at the expo this year.

In the past, attendance has averaged anywhere between 2,300 to 3,000 people, Jordan said.

“This year we hope to see our largest turnout yet,” said Jordan.

Many of the 25 sponsors are from the area, such as Brookhaven Honda and Super Talk of Brookhaven.

Interested volunteers and potential sponsors for the silent auction should contact Jordan at (601) 823-9064.

 

 

SportsPlus