By Louie Stout
The Michiana Boat and Sport Show opens Friday and runs through next Sunday at the South Bend Century Center.
Admission is $8 for adults and free to kids under age 13. Hours are noon to 9 p.m. Friday, 9-9 Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The show features boat dealerships, ATVs, Canadian Lodges/fishing charters, and booths representing local sportsmen clubs. More than a dozen boat dealers exhibiting fishing, power and pontoon boats will be on hand.
The trout pond - a traditional showpiece at the South Bend Show - won't be there this year due to a scheduling conflict. However, promoter Dale Brindley said Ground Zero Archery from Niles will offer an ìArchery Tag Courseî plus free instruction for beginners from its certified staff attending the show. Some booths are still available for anyone who wants to exhibit. Email Brindley at dalebrindley@comcast.net or call 574-286-6311.
Hunter Gathering
The Dowagiac Conservation Club will hold its annual Hunter's Rendezvous Saturday at its club grounds, located at 54551 M-51 North, Dowagiac.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free to the public.
The event will have a variety of activities throughout the day. The club's trophy barn will be open with various displays and will house certified scorers available to assess animal trophies brought to the Rendezvous. Anyone who displays their trophies will be entered into drawing for a Mossberg 12 gauge Combo.
An antique gun appraiser will be on site from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. There also will be two photo contests, one for the best trail camera photo, in which you can display in a printed copy of any photograph that was captured on a trail camera and be eligible for a drawing for a free trail camera. Also, youths who bring in a photo of their outdoor activities will be entered to win a V-Tech action camera.
There also will be a youth turkey calling contest as well as hourly drawings for attendees and hands-on activities for youths throughout the day. Several conservation organizations will be available to talk with youths and a silent auction will offer a variety of items for bidders. Food will be available until 4 p.m.
The Hunters Rendezvous raises club funds for its youth education fund. Money generated is used for hunters' safety programs, wildlife encounters in local schools, sends kids to summer camps and a youth pheasant hunt.
For additional information about the Hunter's Rendezvous or the Youth Education Programs at the Dowagiac Conservation Club, contact Craig Lyons 269-876-7998.