Show brings Great Outdoors to fairgrounds this weekend

WARNER ROBINS — The Great Outdoors Show will bring its old favorites as well as new tricks to the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry this weekend.

Formerly known as Fisharama/Turkeyrama, the event is recognized as one of the largest outdoors shows nationwide, according to the Georgia Wildlife Federation’s Web site.

It is presented by the federation and helps fund education and conservation projects that benefit sportsmen. The Fisharama and Turkeyrama combined in 2007 to form the show coming this weekend.

The event will feature 143 vendors who show fishing, hunting and outdoor supplies, said Sam Stowe, marketing director for the GWF.

A newly designed 40-foot reptile display will have alligators and bog turtles, and there also will be a 50-foot world record wildlife display, Stowe said.

This year, the GWF decided to bring back the Turkeyrama poster. The new poster, entitled “The Overseer” by Georgia artist Steve Kyles, has the Great Outdoors Show logo. Kyles will be available to sign posters throughout the weekend.

The 13th Grand America Turkey Calling contest will take place Saturday and Sunday. There will be two divisions for the contest, one for Georgia residents only and one open to everyone.

There also will be a Call Makers competition, and previous championships have had more than 200 entries. They will be on display at Heritage Hall during the event. There will be two divisions for this event as well, one for adults and one for children.

Seminars at the show will include a snake show, salt and fresh water fishing information, retriever dog shows and turkey hunting demonstrations. For children, there will be a fishing area as well as a BB gun range.

The Georgia Kayak Club will be on hand to demonstrate kayaking in the lake at the fairgrounds.

A hunting safety class will be given Friday and Saturday, and prospective hunters should register online at www.georgiawildlife.com. Participation is limited to the first 100 people.

To contact writer Angela Woolen, call 923-5650.

If you go What: The Great Outdoors Show When: 1-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday Where: Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, Perry Cost: $8/adults, $5/seniors, free/children 12 and under More information: (770) 787-7887, www.gwf.org