Toronto, Monday, March 10th - - - - It's big! Very big! It's three times as large as the biggest sports store in the country and features everything from fishing products and angling seminars, leisure boats, tents and backpacks, to motorized vehicles, canoes and kayaks, the Ontario Out of Doors Hunting Hall, dog shows and vacation destinations. The Toronto Sportsmen's Show, the Outdoor Super Show is a spring ritual for everyone who enjoys the great Canadian outdoors. In excess of 450 exhibitors are ready, eager and waiting to meet more than 125,000 visitors.
The Toronto
Sportsmen's Show - the Fishing & Outdoor Super
Show
Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario
Wednesday, March 12th to Sunday, March 16th, 2008
Weekdays and Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Admission
Adults: $16.00 Juniors: $9.00 (Ages 6 to 15) Seniors
(60+): $9.00
Children (under six years): Free when accompanied by an adult
Family Pass: (two adults and two juniors) $38.00
Famous special features make the Toronto Sportsmen's Show truly one of a kind!
• Dog features have been a tradition for more than 60 years at the Sportsmen's Show and this year Purina hosts the Purina Pro Plan All Star Dog Show . At the electrifying Gold Whistle Retriever Trials, visitors of all ages will be amazed as the bond between handler and dog is put to the test in this hunting simulation. The Big Air Dog Show is guaranteed to get the audience involved! Leaping after a decoy, each dog will jump from a dock into a large water-filled pond. The dog with the longest jump will be declared the winner. Amazingly, the top dogs in the competition will travel more than five metres through the air. The soaring jump and that big splash will really get the crowds going! Visitors will marvel at Dogs with Jobs demonstrations including police, search and rescue, and guide and assistance dogs. In addition, look out for more than 25 dog breeds in the Dog Breeder's Showcase. On the weekend the Rare Breed Dog Show takes up the entire Dog Hall. As well, there are more than 30 Breed Clubs representing the different breeds available in Ontario.
• In the Coleman Outdoor Adventure Zone , some of the fastest-growing new outdoor sports will be represented. The adventurous will head to "Adventure Mountain" for the 28-foot Climbing Wall and the Watersport Pool with its canoes and kayaks. There will also be a series of informative poolside seminars and demonstrations.
• Then there's the Spring Boat Super Show and Sale with everything new for fun on the water including fishing and cottage boats, personal watercraft and outboard motors. Visitors will be glad they came when they see the best prices in Ontario for all their boating needs.
• For anglers, there are tips to be had from the experts at the Fish TV Zone Pro Fishing seminars presented by the Ontario Toyota Dealers. It's where some of North America's fishing experts will share their extensive knowledge in a series of informative and fun-filled presentations. Plenty of fish will be caught in the Live Trout Pond and $75,000 in cash and prizes is up for grabs in the Casting Pond.
• Fly fishing has seen a meteoric rise in popularity across Canada. A new feature area will cater to fly fishing fans of all ages and levels of expertise. Focus On Fly Fishing , sponsored by Canadian Fly Fisher Magazine, will feature Casting Lanes where expert fly casters will demonstrate techniques and provide free, hands-on instruction. The Casting Lanes will be surrounded by manufacturer and retailer displays of fly fishing equipment, accessories and merchandise. Not only will show visitors be able to try their hand at fly casting, but before making a purchase they may try out the rod or reel that takes their fancy at the Casting Lanes. For aspiring fly tyers, there will also be a fly tying demonstration area staffed by some of Canada's expert fly tyers.
• At the fishing simulator and on stage, some of North America's top anglers will share their knowledge. It will be the largest group of fishing presenters in the show's history. Visitors will learn how to reel in smallmouth bass, catch that illusive walleye, land monster salmon and halibut, and uncover the secrets of pike fishing.
• The World Fishing Network (WFN) is the only Canadian television network dedicated 24 hours a day to every aspect of fishing. WFN is a new show partner and some of Canada's most respected fishermen and tournament anglers will speak on the WFN Outdoor Seminar Stage . The network is introducing WFN's Casting Call where visitors can enter a draw and win a chance to become Canada's next great fishing host! "Win Big with WFN!" is a contest that invites visitors to enter a random draw to win a variety of great fishing-related prizes, including an all-inclusive fishing vacation.
• The Ontario OUT OF DOORS Hunting Hall is headquarters for the avid hunter and outdoorsman. It features firearms, bows and archery products, camouflage clothing, decoys, global positioning systems, accessories, bird calls, knives, gun cases and safes, scopes, night vision products, binoculars, scents, books and much more. Bow hunters can even test before they buy at the Archery Test Drive Centre . The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) presents the Hunting Seminar Stage , where experts will conduct a series of seminars on hunting waterfowl, turkey, bear, moose and whitetail deer.
• Expert handlers from the Canadian Peregrine Foundation will let visitors get close to live eagles, hawks, owls and falcons in the Birds of Prey feature area.
• The Outfitters and Travel Expo , sponsored by Ontario, More to Discover is for visitors in search of fishing and hunting lodges, excursions and wilderness tours.
• The show is a playground for kids. In the Get Outdoors Kids Zone sponsored and produced by the O.F.A.H., kids of all ages will be able to tie flies, get fishing tips at the Get Outdoors Conservation Stage, participate in the turkey, moose and deer calling competition, and much more!
• The Toronto Sportsmen's Association Kids Zone is where young people can have fun on the Crosman Air Gun and Archery Range. It's a great place for kids to get their first experience shooting at a target. They will receive expert air gun and archery instruction from experienced outdoorsmen. The fun takes place in a controlled and safe environment.
• Youngsters will have an opportunity to receive expert instruction and ride a real bike courtesy of the Yamaha Riding Academy (YRA). The YRA was developed to teach young beginners the basics of riding off-road motorcycles. After receiving guidance from a Canadian Motorcycle Training Service instructor, youngsters can take a ride on the latest Yamaha off-road motorcycle.
• Visitors on Saturday are in for a special treat. It's Ontario Power Generation Safety Day and everyone can pick up a free Four-Season Water Safety Poster and Safety Passport. Then they can visit safety partners throughout the show, have the passport stamped and be eligible to win valuable prizes.
Full seminar schedules along with up-to-the-minute information on the Toronto Sportsmen's Show and its many special feature areas, a locator map and on-line ticketing is at www.sportshows.ca.
Media should come to the Media Centre (Salon 105 East) to register and pick up a badge. Excellent photo and interview opportunities will be available. Staff will direct photographers and television crews to the appropriate displays and special feature areas.
For further information, please contact:
Karl Eichner
Show Publicist
Tel: 416.447.2265
E-mail: keichner@ca.inter.net
Media Centre: 416.263.3006 (March 12th-16th)
Marissa Schroder
Assistant Publicist
Tel: 416-239-1590
E-mail: marissa123@rogers.com
Media Centre: 416.263.3006 (March 12th-16th)
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