Great Outdoor Sports Show fills Show Me Center

Visitors filled the Show Me Center this weekend for this year's The Great Outdoor Sports Show to look at hunting equipment, outdoor clothing, boats, campers, outdoor sports vehicles, resort information and fishing guides.

Event coordinator Carolyn Asmus said Saturday that she didn't have exact numbers for how many people have gone through the show this year, but it's been close to the attendance from previous years, which have averaged about 5,000 people, she said. The show began in 1987.

"We couldn't pack any more into the building," Asmus said.

Many people said they came just to look and enjoy the day, while some had more specific items in mind.

"It's a good show," said Jonathan Butler who was there with his wife, Casi, and their son. "We come every year. We're looking at the boats today."

Mike Cox of Jackson, who was there with his son, Gunnar, said they were looking at things like bait and boats.

Forty-eight businesses and organizations filled the center's main floor and banquet rooms.

"We're lucky to have a wide variety of vendors this year" Asmus said.

"There seems to be a lot of steady traffic," said Nathan Edwards of the Consignment Center in Jackson. This was their first time at the show.

Dave Tarnowski from Aurora, Ky., was there representing his family owned and operated business, Ken Oak Resort at Kentucky Lake. Tarnowski said he came to the show because his business has had a good response from this area. This was his second time with a booth at the show.

Salesman Dan Boyer of Razor Rods from Springfield, Mo., said his booth had been seeing a lot of traffic and selling many rods. Owner Rick LaPoint said they travel all over the country doing sports shows, but this was their first time at The Great Outdoor Sports Show.

Asmus said there were also a lot of door prizes being offered for visitors. A cooler with a built in radio, trips and St. Louis Cardinal tickets being given away by the different vendors. There was also a raffle for a golf cart sponsored by Heart for Africa Ministry.

The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. Admission is $5; children 6 and younger are free.

Pertinent address:

1333 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.