Outdoors shown indoors at sports show

Visitors to the Skyline/ KGMO Sports Show came for a taste of the outdoors and a look at what new toys are for sale.

About 1,000 people came to the Show Me Center on Friday; attendance was about 4,000 Saturday. The event, which continues today, features 50 vendors ranging from tackle to recreational vehicles to boats.

"They have good bargains and package deals here at the show," said Cheryl Wright of Murphysboro, Ill. "I've been coming to the shows every year since they've had them and have bought a few boats here. I may possibly buy a pontoon boat today."

Hard-core campers could visit a variety of pop-ups, slide-outs and top-of-the-line recreational vehicles, including the "Aline," so named for its shape once erected.

When Nina and Martin Reinbott of Bertrand, Mo., retired in their 60s, they took up camping and vacationed in Florida near Panama City, where their daughter lives, for three months out of the year.

"Martin is itching to go to Florida, we have scads of friends down there," Nina Reinbott said.

The couple, now in their 80s, sold their boat and camper last year due to ailing health. But that didn't stop them from seeing what the vendors had to offer.

Martin Reinbott wandered among the slide-out campers, while Nina eyed the new Aline.

"These are like Cadillacs compared to what we used to camp in," she said.

Even those who were working at the show had their eyes on new gear. Anthony Boyd of Farmington, Mo., drew caricatures for "fishing money." He asked customers what they want to be drawn doing as he sketched them with a marker. He said he does sports shows once or twice times a year.

"Right now I'm making money for a new depth finder," he said.

Other activities at the show included mechanical bull riding; a catch-and-release trout tank; fishing seminars; face painting by the Federation of Christian Anglers and Sportsmen, a group that holds fishing events to minister to families; a miniature golf.

The show started at the Arena Building, but quickly outgrew the space available there, said promoter Kathy Nicholas. The show moved to the Show Me Center when it opened in 1986.

"My husband, Steve, thought it would be a neat idea," she said. "When we started the show we were in the boating business, so it worked out well."

The Nicholases are no longer in the boating business, but Kathy Nicholas continues to organize and promote the show.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133

WANT TO GO?

What: The Skyline/KGMO Sports Show

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today

Where: Show Me Center