One special event has delighted Indiana’ s outdoors enthusiasts and rescued countless families from the throes of February’s cabin fever for over 57 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.
More than just acres of boats, RVs, fishing tackle, camping and hunting gear and an entire coliseum full of outdoor travel and tourism exhibitors, the Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show combines nearly one million square-feet of unique, outdoor goodness with two additional and distinct consumer expositions over its ten-day duration. If ever there existed a show for everyone, this event is it.
Indiana-based Renfro Productions and Management encourages individuals and families from across the Midwest to find their own, unique adventures February 17-26, 2012, when the Ford 58th Annual Indianapolis Boat Sport and Travel Show returns to the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Once again, the popular Indiana Deer, Turkey and Waterfowl Expo will anchor the opening weekend of the show, February 17-19, while the one-of-a-kind Indiana Motorcycle Expo will take place during the closing weekend of the show, February 24-26.
Show organizer Kevin Renfro says attendees can expect to see a variety of exciting, new features, exhibitors and attractions at this year’s Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show combined with the most popular features from the past. “Visitors returning to this year’s event will recognize a familiar layout”, says Renfro. “Tackle Town, the Boat Pavilion, the Travel and Tourism Pavilion, RV Pavilion and the Quiet Sports and Outdoor Living Pavilion are all returning this year”, he says, “but are filled with more new features than ever before”.
The ever-popular Tackle Town will once again greet visitors with over 70,000 square-feet 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, and an incredible array of other interesting events and attractions. ATVs can transport anglers out onto the ice and other remote fishing locations, so enthusiasts will be pleasantly surprised to find a dedicated section packed full of exhibitors displaying the latest quads, must-have gear and unique ATV accessories. Of course, there’s more than fishing tackle and equipment at Tackle Town. 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 gamefish. Angling superstars Joe Thomas, Gary Roach, Spence Petros, Bernie Schultz, Mark Randolph and Mike DelVisco 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’s best pro anglers shed light on species-specific tips and tactics. Indiana bass pros Todd Hollowell, Billy McDonald, Terry McWilliams and Jacob Wheeler 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 Phil Rambo on crappies, Randall Gibson covering striped bass, Gilbert Huxley on carp, and Derrick Filkins covering Indiana’s stream smallmouth. If Tackle Town doesn’t have what you are looking for, then neither does anyone else!
Boats and RV’s have always been a mainstay of the Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, and over 330,000 square-feet will be dedicated to these vessels for family fun at this year’s show. From 40-foot cruisers to all manner of fishing boats and personal watercraft, the Boat Pavilion will showcase hundreds of the latest watercraft from many of the best dealers across Indiana. Likewise, visitors will find the RV Pavilion jam-packed with great deals on all kinds of cutting-edge RVs. From motor homes to tent campers, 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.
The lure of the great outdoors tugs on visitors throughout the entire Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, but the undeniable force may be greatest inside the 50,000 square-foot Travel and Tourism Pavilion – the definitive place to plan your next family vacation, fishing trip, wilderness hunt or other unique outdoor excursion. With private, local, state and even national travel professionals representing exciting destinations in 26 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 for a super price at the Travel and Tourism Pavilion. Aside from all the great travel exhibitors, visitors to the Travel and Tourism Pavilion can also take in a variety of other exciting attractions including “The Canadian Experience” – a one-of-a-kind, interactive display featuring some of the most unique and defining elements of the Canadian wilderness lodge vacation.
Human-powered quiet sports are among the fastest-growing outdoor recreational activities. Activities like, hiking, paddling, mountain biking, rock-climbing and fly fishing leave a small ecological footprint, but are as hard-core as the enthusiasts who practice them. If you are one of these individuals, The 70,000 square-foot Quiet Sports and Outdoor Living Pavilion at the Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show is your Shangri-La. Whether you’re thinking of moving up from aluminum to carbon fiber, want to find the most versatile rack system for your hybrid, or are looking to cast the very latest fly rods, the Quiet Sports and Outdoor Living Pavilion is the place to be for the enthusiast who demands the highest quality in outdoor equipment and services. The Quiet Sports and Outdoor Living Pavilion is presented by IndianaOutfitters.com and is the only event of its kind in the central U.S., boasting nearly 100 exhibitors and unique features and attractions you won’t find in any other single location. Key attractions in the Quiet Sports and Outdoor Living Pavilion include paddling demonstrations by the Hoosier Canoe Club; the hands-on Discover Scuba exhibit presented by Diver’s Supply Indy; the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association Skills Course; the Peak Adventure Rock Wall; and Orvis Fly Fishing 101 presented by Flymasters of Indianapolis. Need an additional dose of how-to? Daily seminars are on tap from interesting experts who have been there and done that – from climbing Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro to floating Southern Indiana’s Sugar Creek — including wilderness paddler and adventurer, Rob Kesselring.
Beginning Monday, January 23rd, adults save $2 on admission when they purchase Advance Sale tickets to the Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show at Marsh Supermarkets. For the latest show features, seminar schedules and information, or to purchase tickets online, go to www.indysportshow.com.
