A sneak peak at the FLW Outdoor Show
Four days of fun, fishing and the outdoors premieres in Richmond on Wednesday
RICHMOND, Va. – Late Tuesday afternoon, exhibitors at the 2003 Wal-Mart FLW Tour World Championship and Outdoor Show presented by Castrol were busy putting the finishing touches on their booths and exhibit space for the show’s opening at 1 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday.
So what is there to do at the FLW Outdoor Show? Well, you can scope out a world of fishing and outdoor gear at special prices, win a free Ranger Boat, sit in on a fishing seminar, catch a trout, peruse a wide selection of boats, get an autograph from a NASCAR driver, get some fishing pointers from an FLW Tour Angler of the Year – and that’s just for starters!
There will be something for everyone in the family September 10-13 at the 2003 Wal-Mart FLW Tour World Championship and Outdoor Show at the Richmond Convention Center. And best of all, there is no admission to any of the shows, weigh-ins or the grand finale concert featuring Andy Griggs.
Kids are especially in for a real treat at the outdoor show. Each day children 12 and under, accompanied by an adult, will receive free merchandise from FLW Outdoors.
On Wednesday, the first 1,500 children coming into the Richmond Convention Center after 3:30 p.m. will receive a free FLW Outdoors hat and T-shirt.
On Thursday, the first 2,000 children through the door after 3:30 p.m. will receive a free tackle box.
On Friday, the first 2,000 children arriving after 3:30 p.m. will receive a free tackle kit.
Now the only thing a youngster needs to start fishing is a fishing rod, right? Not a problem. On Saturday, the first 3,000 kids through the door of the Convention Center will receive a free rod and reel combo.
The fun does not stop there. Kids will have a blast once they are in the door because the FLW Outdoors Family Fun Zone will be in high gear. The Fujifilm trout pond is always a big hit as kids try to catch visible trout on lures. Kellogg’s will have the Racin’ and Reelin’ simulator trailer on site. Games and contests will be going on in nearly all of the Wal-Mart FLW Tour sponsors’ booths.
Grown-ups, you won’t be left out of the fun or free stuff either. Fishing fans can register to win a fully rigged one-of-a-kind Ranger Comanche 519 that was on display at the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 NASCAR race at Richmond International Raceway last week. The boat and drawing, presented by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, will be held on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Attendees of the show will be able to peruse dozens of boats from 13 different manufacturers. Bass boats, bay boats, flats boats, big water boats and recreational boats will all be on sale at the show. Special factory incentives will be offered so, if you see something you like, you can drive away with it as soon as the show is over. Also, clothing from Ranger, Stratos and Champion will be on sale.
Of course, the show will also feature oodles of tackle including the latest and greatest in fishing and outdoor equipment. The newest products from hot bait companies like Kinami, Lucky Craft, Zoom, Yamamoto and Mizmo will be on sale.
Ladies, we have not forgotten about you, either. Even if you have no interest in fishing, there will be jewelry and shoes on sale as well. That’s right, shoes! Okay, so they are fishing shoes, but there will be jewelry on sale.
Here is a rundown of some of the activities that will be going on at the Richmond Convention Center Wednesday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Over 140 exhibitors; boats on sale from 13 different manufacturers; the Family Fun Zone including 37 Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors sponsor booths; 150,000 square feet of fun, fishing and outdoors for the whole family.
On Thursday afternoon, NASCAR Winston Cup driver Terry Labonte will be dropping in to sign autographs and answer questions. He will sign autographs from 3:15 until 4:15 p.m. Due to the limited amount of time that Labonte will be on hand, fans are urged to pick up a free ticket to get an autograph at the start of the outdoor show on Thursday. There will be 250 tickets available at the Kellogg’s booth on a first-come, first-serve basis. After autographs, Labonte will take the main stage at 4:15 to answer questions from the crowd.
At the Chevy Trucks booth, the Chevy Truck Pro Staff will be on hand to sign autographs, give out fishing tips and answer any questions folks may have about tow vehicles and towing boats. While Tommy Biffle, Kevin VanDam and Larry Nixon will be on the water fishing for half a million dollars, their fellow Chevy Pro Staffers Jimmy Houston, Jay Yelas, David Fritts, Tom Mann Jr. and Kim Stricker will be at the Chevy Exhibit.
The scheduled appearance times for the Chevy Pro Staff are:
Thursday, 5-9 p.m.: Jimmy Houston, David Fritts and Tom Mann Jr.
Friday, 1-5 p.m.: David Fritts and Jay Yelas.
Friday, 5-9 p.m.: Jimmy Houston, Tom Mann Jr. and Kim Stricker.
Saturday, 1-5 p.m.: Jay Yelas and Kim Stricker.
Every day, Wednesday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m., FLW Tour World Championship contenders will begin weighing in, going head-to-head to see who gets eliminated and who survives to fish for the $500,000 on Saturday.
The FLW Outdoor finale will happen Saturday evening when FLW Outdoors presents a live concert featuring country music recording artist Andy Griggs after the FLW Tour champion has been crowned.
All admission is free. The FLW Outdoor Show starts at 1 p.m. and lasts until 9 p.m. every day.
All activities, including the weigh-ins and Andy Griggs concert, will be held in the Greater Richmond Convention Center in downtown Richmond.
A complete schedule of events and list of exhibitors are available online.