NEW ORLEANS, La., June 25 - For fishing fans who travel to the Bassmaster Classic each year, the annual three-day Classic Outdoor Show is always one of the highlights of Classic Week. The giant product and activities festival attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year.
The Outdoor Show will be even bigger and better when Classic XXXIII comes to New Orleans Aug. 1-3. The world-famous Louisiana Superdome will house the eagerly anticipated event, which will take up more than 200,000 square feet and feature about 150 exhibitors.
The Classic Outdoor Show has long had the distinction of offering 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 trade show, at which new products are unveiled for buyers, that is again the case with this year's show.
"The Classic Outdoor Show is a highly popular component of BASS week," said Dean Kessel, Vice President and General Manager of BASS. "It's one of the only consumer boat, fishing and tackle shows held during the peak fishing season, and many exhibitors choose to roll out their new products for 2004, giving attendees an early glimpse of the top items available."
"We're excited about going back to New Orleans," BASS spokesman Mike Swain said. "We should have one of our best Outdoor Shows ever.
"Virtually all of the lure manufacturers and rod-and-reel companies will be there. It's going to be packed with tackle companies. The major boat companies will be there, too. There will be a lot of retail activity with both local retailers and Bass Pro Shops on hand. Plus, there will be plenty for families to do, including the CastingKids area and a kids' interactive display area. Also, we'll have our sweepstakes giveaway boat on display."
The sponsors of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail will have major displays. Among them will be first-year sponsor Diamond Cut Jeans, which will be displaying a specially wrapped boat and truck, as well as the company's distinctive Fitting Trailer. The trailer contains four fitting rooms and about 3,000 pairs of the jeans that feature the unique comfort fit system.
"We're excited about being involved in the Classic Outdoor Show for the first time," said Doug Gray, Director of Marketing for Diamond Cut. "Our basic goal is to get the folks that have been seeing and hearing about Diamond Cut Jeans all through the Bassmaster season on ESPN to be able to touch and feel and purchase the jeans.
"It will be exciting for us to have the folks that have seen our boat on the television show and seen the ads to actually see the products while at the Classic. We're looking forward to meeting the folks that have been hearing about us."
While the 61 Classic contenders are out on the Louisiana Delta searching for the 15 bass that can enable them to capture the $200,000 top prize and the most important title in competitive fishing, more than 100,000 fishing fans will be scouring the isles of the Outdoor Show in search of bargains and fishing products that they just can't live without.
The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (Aug. 1-2). Show hours on Sunday (Aug. 3) will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.