It’s officially winter, and has been for about three weeks now.
As if you couldn’t tell.
This year, more than most in recent memory, that’s meant an early and widespread start to the ice fishing season. It’s caused the growth of quite a few beardcicles on late season hunters. Handwarmer sales are, I would imagine, booming about now, too.
It means one more thing, too.
Outdoors show season is upon us.
A staple of Pennsylvania’s coldest months, sport shows large and small will be popping up all across the state in the next few months. Here’s a look at some of those on tap.
Flea market
Tri-County Trout Club will hold its annual sport show and flea market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 13. It’s set for Arnold #2 Volunteer Fire Department’s training and social center – the bingo hall – at 1702 Fifth Ave. in Arnold.
Expect to find new and used outdoor gear, from rods, reels and lures to hunting, camping and trapping items.
Admission is free to club members and kids younger than 12. All others pay $3.
Tri-State
The Tri-State Outdoor Expo will be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd., on Jan. 26 to 28.
Show hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.
Details are at http://www.tristateoutdoorexpo.com/.
Great American
The Great American Outdoor Show – the largest in the country – will be held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg on Feb. 3 to 11.
Sponsored by the National Rifle Association, the show will feature nearly 1,100 exhibitors spread over about 650,000 square feet of space. (Hint: wear comfortable shoes if you go; you’ll be doing a lot of walking).
Aside from exhibitors, there will be a 3D archery range, air rifle range and dock dogs competitions, among other things.
Show hours and ticket prices can be found at www.greatamericanoutdoorshow.org.
Allegheny
The Allegheny Sport Travel and Outdoor Show is set for Feb. 16 to 18 at the Monroeville Convention Center.
Hours are 12 to 8 Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. There is an admission fee, but discount tickets will be available at Subway restaurants starting on Feb. 6.
I and the rest of the Everybody Adventures team will be at this one all weekend – details on what we’re doing will follow soon – but stop on by to say hello.
Information is available at https://www.sportandtravel.com/.
Erie
The Erie Sport and Travel Expo, for those who want to take a trip, is set for March 2 to 4. It’s being held at the Bayfront Convention Center, at 1 Sassafras Pier, right on Lake Erie.
Show hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Otherwise, few details are available yet, but they’ll be coming. To get them, check http://www.eriepromotions.com/sport/eri/default.aspx.
Muskie Max
Likewise, full details of the 2018 Western Pennsylvania Muskie Max show – for hard core musky anglers – have yet to be revealed.
What’s certain is that the show will be held on March 10 and 11 at a new location, the Embassy Suites at Pittsburgh International Airport, 550 Cherrington Parkway, Moon Township. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Details will follow at https://www.muskiemax.com/.
