Crowd gathers to watch the action at the ‘Ultimate Air Dogs’ pool at last year’s Woods-N-Water News Outdoor Weekend.
Woods-N-Water News hosts 33rd
event at Imlay City fairgrounds
IMLAY CITY — Thirty-three years ago the management and staff of Woods-N-Waters News Magazine hosted what they presumed would be a weekend gathering to celebrate the upcoming hunting season with friends, family and local hunting and fishing enthusiasts.
Since then, the Woods-N-Water News Outdoor Weekend has grown exponentially to become one of the Midwest’s biggest and best annual celebrations of the outdoor lifestyle.
It’s Back!
The 2019 Woods-N-Water News Outdoor Weekend returns to the Eastern Michigan State Fairgrounds this Friday-Sunday (Sept. 6-8).
This year’s admission is $10 for adults and includes free parking. As has been the tradition, children age 12 and under are admitted free.
Show hours are Friday, Sept. 6 from 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Outdoor Weekend visitors will find more than 250 exhibitors displaying and selling top-of-the-line products for the most discerning of hunters and fishermen and women, along with outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life.
This year’s event will feature a return visit from legendary archer, Byron Ferguson, whose skills with a bow and arrow are unmatched.
Ferguson will display those talents at 7 p.m. on Friday; Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.; and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Fun for kids, too
In addition to the Puppy Tent and Ultimate Air Dogs, the 2019 Outdoor Weekend will offer still other children-friendly activities.
The Woods-N-Water News Weekend’s mascot, “Bucky,” will again be walking the grounds, greeting and posing for photos with children in attendance.
Heritage Church will host a Kids’ Archery Shoot, while Native American Indian Reg Pettibone will again provide families a unique history lesson; dancing and sharing stories about the Ho-Chunk nation.
Speaking of history, kids and adults are encouraged to visit the on-site frontier encampment and share conversation with Civil War reenactors.
As always, a wide variety of food and beverages will be available throughout the weekend.
Woods-N-Water News Editor Tom Campbell believes the 2019 Outdoor Weekend will have something for all ages and interests.
“We have lined up an outstanding event for showgoers this year,” says Campbell, “starting with great outdoor retailers, educational displays and exhibits—just about every type of product for outdoor enthusiasts.
“We also have a great schedule of entertainment for everyone,” he continues. “We have jumping dogs, wild animals, artistic chainsaw carvers, the historical encampments, blacksmithing, a 1794 trader’s camp and Reg Pettibone offering his Native American storytellers/dancers.
“On Saturday, the Camp Chili Cook Off is back, along with seminars, a gun auction (on Sunday), a kids’ archery range, shooting gallery, climbing wall and lots of food, refreshments and puppies-lots of puppies.”
Campbell noted that this year’s show features more pre-registered puppy litters than ever—with well over 400 puppies. “Thankfully, the Michigan Hunting Dog Federation will be here supervising and making sure breeders are following the rules and regulations,” Campbell says.
“It’s also great having Byron Ferguson returning to the Outdoor Weekend,” he adds. “Byron is an amazing archer and his shows are very entertaining to people of all ages.”
For further information about the 2019 Woods-N-Water News Outdoor Weekend, call 810-724-0254, or visit the website at: www.outdoorweekend.net.
Tom Wearing started at the Tri-City Times in 1989, covering the Village of Capac as a beat reporter. He later served stints as assistant editor and editor. Today, he covers Imlay City and Almont as a staff writer. He enjoys music and plays drums and sings with various musical groups in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
