Outdoorama this Weekend!
With the mild winter thus far, it’s easy to imagine getting outdoors earlier and more often in the coming months. For 39 years Outdoorama has examined many of the time tested and family friendly activities that Michiganians love to do.
Hunting, fishing and boating are all well represented at this year’s event held at the Suburban Collection Showroom (formally Rock Financial Showplace) in Novi. All the latest rods and reels, fishing boats and marine accessories will be on display to give the modern day fisherman an edge. “If you support conservation and appreciate our state’s bounty of natural resources, then Outdoorama is for you,” said Adam Starr, show manager.
For the non-hunter, non-fisherman
“Outdoorama is a celebration of all outdoor activities that rely on Michigan’s great natural resources,” states Tom Huggler, show publicist, “Although hunting and fishing are at the show’s roots, since 1974 when Outdoorama began, the show has enjoyed broad appeal to conservationists, wildlife enthusiasts such as photographers and bird watchers, and silent-sport participants such as campers, hikers and backpackers. Many special features make the show family friendly. These include the Trout Pond full of live 
rainbows for kids to catch, the Rock Climb, the Pellet Shooting Range (where kids get safety lessons and shooting tips from certified instructors), and the Virtual Fishing Simulator (where kids do battle with a sailfish, bass or salmon).”
Huggler also mentioned that there will be naturalists on hand with a variety of native Michigan animals, including hawks, owls and reptiles. He explains how they “were injured in the wild, and are being restored to health before release back into the wild.”
The Family Fun Zone is where kids may enjoy many hands-on activities. And watch the dock jumping dogs with Milt Wilcox as he hosts the Ultimate Air Dogs.
Morel Mushrooms Hunting
Did you know that Michigan provides us with a bounty of Morel mushrooms? Morel spokeswoman, Theresa Maybrier, will present seminars on how to find and collect the Morel, and then how to preserve and prepare the mushroom.
Morel Mushrooms can be found throughout the state, including wooded areas of southeast Michigan. Regions near Boyne City and Cadillac are some of the more well-known hunting grounds for both the black and white varieties.
Don’t Miss …
“The single-most biggest attraction is Big Buck Night on Thursday from 7-9 pm” explains Tom Huggler. “Michigan Out-of-Doors TV hosts Jimmy Gretzinger and Jenny Olson will interview successful Michigan deer hunters, who will bring their trophies and relate the stories to an appreciative audience.”
“For the non-hunting crowd, don’t miss Jim Miller of Willow Winds, who will be building a birch bark canoe in the same way Native Americans did for centuries,” Huggler continues, “Miller’s authentic props have been used in popular movies like Thunderheart and The Indian in my Cupboard.”
Dates and Times
Outdoorama runs February 23-26, 2012 and is open Thursday & Friday 2:00–9:30 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., and Sunday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Adult prices are $10.00, children (6-14) are only $4.00, and children under 6 are free. Please note: some attractions within the event have a nominal fee. Discount coupons are available at the show’s website:
http://www.showspan.com/OUT
Also visit the website to see a complete listing of all the events, special guests, and seminars going on throughout the weekend.
Photos are courtesy of Outdoorama and ShowSpan.
Michael Dwyer is a freelance writer and travel columnist. Michael writes about happenings in the Rochester area, travels across Michigan and destinations around the world. Contact him at Michael@RochesterMedia.com
About Michael Dwyer