The 32nd State of Maine Sportsman’s Show Entertains Whole Family
Fun for the entire family is the catch-phrase for the 32nd Annual State of Maine Sportsman’s Show that will take place March 30 to April 1 at the August Civic Center.
“This year’s show will continue our proud tradition of plenty to do for everyone,” said show co-director Harry Vanderweide, “but with special emphasis on the kids.”
He said Trout Unlimited will continue it’s long-standing tradition of offering free fly tying lessons to children and will be joined by Maine ATV that will offer free ATV rides in the Civic Center’s Parking lot and the Maine Bowhunter’s Association that will teach youngsters to shoot bows and arrows.
“Whatever your age and interest, if you love the Maine outdoors, there is something for you at this show,” Vanderweide said. “For instance were have literally dozens of seminars going on during the show, all headlined by a strong slate of presentations by LL Bean staff members. As new attraction, we’ve got a qualifying round of a new state-wide moose calling competition being put on by the Rangeley Guides and Sportsman’s Association.”
Returning to the show are long running attractions including art shows and contests in outdoor photography and painting, along with wildlife woodcarving. Hosted by The Maine Sportsman magazine and the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, his year’s three-day show gives the audience an option of over 100 seminars and stage events, 130 booths in the auditorium and myriad exhibits in rooms around the main floor.
Said Vanderweide, We’ve got other new attractions this year, such as famed saltwater fishing Captain Dave Pecci’s presentation on how to catch the huge tarpon that swim in the fabled waters of the Florida keys.
Closer to home, Maine whitetailed deer hunting expert Joe “Salty” Saltalamachia will be at the show sharing the hunting secrets he used this past season to bring home yet another in his long string of over 200-pound Maine trophy bucks.
LL Bean will feature prominently in the show, bringing a display of outdoors equipment to the main floor of the auditorium and big array of seminars by their staff.
ATV Maine will set up a course in the parking lot by the Civic Center, and after basic instruction on safety, the instructors allow children 8 to 16 years old to drive an ATV – a crowd pleaser in past years.
Maine Guide and Outfitter Services presents the “Great Maine Moose Camp,” an action-packed virtual trip into the mountains of Maine. The show includes feature videos, a slide show and a PowerPoint presentation. Maine’s best moose experts will add the color, and show goers allow ample time to ask questions.
The Maine Taxidermists Association is coming to the show with a large display of wildlife mounts, including deer, bear, moose, upland birds, waterfowl and more. This display brings in huge crowds.
Once again, Harold Porter brings his antique collection of outdoor gear, including vintage ice fishing gear.
The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) conducts an onstage dog-handling show that draws a crowd every year. NAVHDA’s training methods create exceptionally obedient dogs.
A fact-filled multi-media presentation on hunting from a remote Maine moose camp will be presented by registered Maine guides Roger Lambert and Matt Bailey at 11 a.m., Saturday.
As always, the Maine sporting-camps industry has a strong presence in the auditorium, offering trips for everyone, especially budget-minded folks. Among the 25 outfitters and sporting camps, folks can choose from exotic destinations to storied Maine choices to charter boats from Lake Ontario.
Stage shows in the North Wing of the Civic Center and seminars in rooms outside the auditorium run throughout the weekend.
Major sporting-good dealers in Maine will be there with new rods, reels, firearms, camping gear and more. Sporting camps, deep-sea fishing boats, rafting outfits, DeLorme Mapping and many other outdoor-related businesses are also on hand.
Times for the show are 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission at the door is $7 for adults; children 5 to 12 years old are $4 every day; children 4 years old and under are admitted free.
Last updated: Friday, February 10, 2012 4:06 pm UTC
