Expo to return to Sandwich

SANDWICH — The Great Outdoors Fishing, Hunting, Boat and RV Expo returns to Northern Illinois and the Fox River Valley Feb. 3-5.

Timber Creek Inn, Suites and Convention Center in Sandwich will host the second annual expo. Show hours are Friday from 4-8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, and kids under 13 are free. Parking is free.

“We are excited and optimistic of our second-year show,” said Becky Nelson, show organizer.
“The idea was to create an event for our area outdoor enthusiasts that is priced affordable yet carries the same features of a larger Chicagoland show.”

Nelson contends that the drive to Sandwich is just 35-45 minutes from the western suburbs and offers easy access.

“We recognize that families are looking for affordable winter fun and this seems to fit our space nicely,” she said.

New for 2012, there will be a Friday afternoon pre-show from 4-8 p.m. with vendor exhibit specials, draft specials and live entertainment featuring Dueling Pianos. There will be daily door prize drawings compliments of participating vendors and sponsors, including gadgets and gift certificates and much more.

Weekend admission promos include first 100 people on Friday night receiving a Cabela’s Cap valued at $10. The first of 250 people on Saturday will be entered for a chance to win a $250 gift card courtesy of Cabela’s. 

The show promises to entertain children of all ages.

There will be bow fishing in the swimming pool area where kids can try to shoot floating targets, snap a picture with Yogi Bear sponsored by Jellystone Park Camp Resorts of Millbrook, Ill. There will be a coloring contest “Hall of Fame” sponsored by The Office Works of Plano, Ill. displaying the kids coloring contest entries and results.

The Sandwich High School fishing club, with the support of Cabela’s, will host a casting contest in the hotel lobby on Saturday.

For a full schedule of daily events, including muskie and bass fishing seminars, wild turkey dressing and waterfowl hunting presentations as well as bass tub tank demos, go to www.TimberCreekInnAndSuites.com.