BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 2002 - The Classic Outdoor Show has long offered the fishing public its first look at new tackle and accessories that will be available the upcoming year. And coming on the heels of the American Sportfishing Association's annual ICAST fishing trade show that is again the case with the Classic Outdoor Show set for July 25-27.
But this year's Classic Outdoor Show being held in the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center promises to be bigger and better than ever before - as well as more interactive for the entire family.
"We're really excited about going back to Birmingham," B.A.S.S. Event Production Coordinator Denise Colemans said. "We've always had great crowds there and the people are always buying when they come to the Outdoor Show. So we're looking forward going back this year.
"People who have come to the Classic in the past know how much fun the Outdoor Show is. But they will be surprised by how much it has changed and how much there is for visitors to do at the show. There are a lot of things going on this year. ESPN really wants to make the show more of an activity for the entire family. We've always attracted families to the Classic, but this year there will be more for the kids to do and more for moms to be involved with. We're fortunate to have some vendors who will have some things that will be especially interesting to moms.
"There will be a lot more ESPN flair there for sure, and I think the whole event will show that. Hopefully, this is going to be a great event for ESPN. This is really the first Classic with their flair in it. They have been very involved this year, trying to take some activities from the Great Outdoor Games and integrate them with the Classic."
While the 52 Classic contenders are out on Lay Lake searching for the 15 bass that can capture the $200,000 top prize and the most important title in competitive fishing, more than 100,000 fishing fans are expected to tour the 175 manufacturers' exhibits that will cover more than 200,000 square feet of floor space. It's there that they will get a peek at what new tackle and gadgets await them in 2003.
But this year's Classic offers more than just the passive viewing of products.
"We're going to have many activities," Colemans said. "We're going to have a tree-climbing contest and a log-rolling contest, as well as some inflatable activities at the ESPN booth.
"We're also going to have a master wood carver giving demonstrations. And we're going to have a trout pond. We'll have a larger fish viewing aquarium this year that is new and inventive.
"We're going to have a much larger CastingKids competition this year. We're actually going to create a smaller arena for it in the Civic Center, which will make it a very interesting activity. We're also fortunate to have Rick and Bubba, nationally-syndicated radio show hosts from Birmingham, who will actually announce the CastingKids competition along with Fish Fishburne this year. They are also going to be doing their entire morning program from our Kids Classic over at Oak Mountain State Park. So the Kids Classic will be even bigger than it's been before."
Making an appearance on Thursday at the outdoor show will be driver of the #99 CITGO car, Jeff Burton. Burton will be available to sign autographs from Noon until 2 p.m.
The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday (July 25 and 26). Show hours on Saturday, July 27, are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Unlike past years, the Classic Outdoor Show will be not be closing during the final weigh-in period.