Fort Smith boat show full of outdoor gear, activities
by January 28, 2012 11:54 am 225 views
The 40th Annual Fort Smith Boat and Outdoor Show is underway at the Phoenix Expo Trade & Event Center.
About 46 vendors of marine and outdoor gear are exhibiting alongside the four local marine dealers — Barling Boat Sales, Brad's Boat Sales, Whit's Marine and Copher's Boat Center. About 200 new boats are on display indoors and used boats are featured in the parking lot.
Admission for the show, sponsored by the Crawford Sebastian Marine Dealers Association, is $6 for adults and children under 12 are free. The show runs from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday. The first 50 children with a paid adult admission will receive a free lure pack valued at $15. Additionally, hundreds of dollars worth of door prizes will be presented by hourly ticket number drawings. Major prizes worth thousands of dollars will be given away by drawings at the conclusion of the show.
Fishing pros are on hand to answer questions about tackle, technique or other gear including boats.
The show has something for everybody interested in boating and the outdoors. There are economy style boats of high quality all the way up to the latest and greatest high dollar craft with all the bells and whistles.
"Nobody can see more of a variety of boats than they'll find out here in a three day period. We have one room dedicated with 20-plus boats in it that a family can get into for under 200 bucks a month with approved credit," said Bill Copher of Copher's Boat Center.
"We have special deals for special interest rates here at the show. We have extended warranties. We have special factory rebate incentives. I can literally sell you a boat here this weekend probably more economically than I can any other day of the year," Copher said.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has its mobile fish tank set up with native species of fish, both small and lunker-size, visible through multiple glass windows. Educational materials and AGFC officers are available to answer questions.
Down the hallway to the left of the entrance is a room featuring activities presented by the Arkansas River Valley Nature Nature Center. Two electronic video games let guests simulate hunting, shooting and fishing on a large projection screen. Laser Shot uses a laser equipped modified airgun and offers scenarios from big game hunting to wing shooting to skeet shooting and many more. The fishing simulator uses a real rod and reel with line attached to an electronic console to simulate the fishing experience. A casting contest is also scheduled over the weekend.