If you're into the outdoors, you have a big weekend ahead. Not one, but two outdoor shows are scheduled to take place in the metro area this weekend and will feature the latest in hunting, fishing and agriculture equipment.
Each has more than 100 vendors and lots of things to choose from to gear up for hunting season . After all, it's almost here. Alligator season is only weeks away followed by dove season, early waterfowl opportunities in September, archery and small game in October and then gun season for deer in November.
And no matter what you hunt, the season will probably be here before you know it and this weekend is a great time to get ahead of the game.
Mississippi Wildlife Extravaganza
The Mississippi Wildlife Extravaganza will be held in Pearl and Ashlee Ellis-Smith, CEO of conservation organization Mississippi Wildlife Federation which hosts the event, said it's going to be the best in a decade.
"People who have gone in the past I think will be very pleased because this show will harken back to the days of old," Ellis-Smith said. "We have the best vendors we've had in 10 years.
"They are all hunting, fishing and outdoors and there's tons of stuff for the kids. There are 139 vendors not counting the various kids' activities."
Highlights of the event include a 3-D archery tournament, hand-grabbing catfish for kids, turkey calling championship, the Big Buck Contest and chances to win guns every hour.
"There's a gun giveaway every hour on the hour," Ellis-Smith said. "You just have to be present to win."
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What to know about the MS Wildlife Extravaganza
- Dates: July 26-29
- Hours: Friday, 12-8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Location: Clyde Muse Center, 515 Country Place Parkway, Pearl
- Cost: Adult day pass $15 Adult weekend pass $30 Kid day pass $7 Kid weekend pass $14 Kids five and under free Friday is Kid’s Day, 12 and under get in free
- For more information visit www.mswildlife.org .
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Mississippi Ag and Outdoor Expo
The Mississippi Ag and Outdoor Expo is presented by Jack Fisher of the Louisiana-based Great Southern Expos, and Fisher said this year's event will be bigger than in past years.
"This year we not only have the Trade Mart full, we have the Coliseum," Fisher said. "With that space we have room for campers, more ATVs than we've had before and more entertainment for adults and kids.
"We have about 150 vendors and about 300 booths with lots of bulk space. That's where we display tractors and ATVs."
The event features guides and outfitters, boats, tractors and agriculture equipment, hunting and fishing equipment and more. Other attractions are a 3-D archery tournament, Dock Dogs Jumping Competition, axe-throwing and mechanical bull riding.
As an added feature, Fisher said Tower Loans will be onsite offering interest-free financing for up to two years for those bigger purchases.
What to know about the MS Ag and Outdoor Expo
- Dates: July 26-29
- Hours: Friday, 12-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Location: Mississippi Coliseum and Trade Mart, 1207 Mississippi Street off High Street, Jackson
- Cost: Adults, $15 Kids six through 12, $5 Kids five and under, free Sunday all kids get in free
- For more information visit www.mississippioutdoorexpo.com .
Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Get ready for hunting season: Jackson metro to have two outdoor shows this weekend
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