Cleveland, OH (February 22, 2008)—The 2008 Cleveland Sport, Travel & Outdoor Show features an array of adventures sure to appeal to all outdoor enthusiasts! This year's show celebrates the great outdoors and all its rugged adventures Wednesday, March 12 through Sunday, March 16 at the I-X Center . Now in its 71 st year, the annual Show, produced by Expositions Inc., is one of Northeastern Ohio's longest running consumer show events and has become a Cleveland tradition.

The 2008 event is dedicated to outdoor adventures in hunting, fishing and camping. Hundreds of state-of-the-art exhibitors, dozens of live demonstrations, and a top-notch line-up of seminar experts will be featured during the five-day show. Informative sessions with some of sports' finest pros and biggest money winners, offers guests the opportunity to learn from the best.

“The show attracts the most avid outdoorsmen and women, as well as families looking for travel and vacation planning ideas,” said Chris Fassnacht, Show producer. “This show is their best resource for information about the latest trends, techniques and products.”

LECTURES & DEMONSTRATIONS

• Fishing fanatics will be thrilled to the gills with scheduled lectures and demonstrations by top pros including FLW Walleye Pro Dustin Kjelden and Lake Ontario master fishing guide Doug Stein . They'll be joined by one of the sport's nationally ranked authorities – Bass Pro Doug Strickland.

• Presentations by hunting experts Brian Laux and DeWayne Knight will highlight goose hunting and calling tactics while turkey expert Don Small will talk about spring gobblers.

• The Show will also feature a wide range of travel information on Canadian lodges, camps and outfitters from across America as well as New Zealand and South Africa. Whether you're looking for a quick weekend getaway or planning the ultimate African Safari, the Sport Show offers unique and adventurous ideas.

• The Ohio Sea Grant program at Ohio State University will be well represented with lectures given by Dr. Jeffrey M. Reutter . Dr. Reuter is an esteemed aquatic biologist and limnologist, as well as the author of over 100 technical reports and journal articles. During the 2008 Sport Show, Dr. Reuters will discuss the changing Lake Erie ecosystem, invasive species and coastal economic development.

• The Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Wildlife Division (ODNR) will be at the Show to answer questions about the rules and regulations for hunting and fishing in the State of Ohio. Representatives from the department will also host a deer field dressing seminar . Brush up on guidelines, proper techniques and safety precautions for harvesting and preserving your wild game.

SPECIAL EXHIBITS & DISPLAYS

• Camping enthusiasts will revel at the oversized area of Kamper City . The 1,600 square foot exhibit will be filled with tents, sleeping bags, fire pits and an assortment of campers clothing and gear. And best of all, everything is available for purchase.

• The 4,000-gallon Hawg Tank , a giant aquarium on wheels stocked with dozens of fish, is always a popular stop. Expert seminar speakers will help visitors learn how to identify various fish and the best fishing spot locations. A few secrets are always revealed to ensure that the big one never gets away again!

• Want to witness thousands of men shopping ? Avid outdoorsmen are sure to hunt down just what they need for their next adventure, including great deals on the latest rods, reels, lures, shooting gear, navigational devices, turkey calls and clothing.

• If you're in the market for a new boat, dirt bike or all-terrain vehicle , the newest makes and the hottest models will all be on display at this year's Show.

• Admire a p rize -winning collection of whitetail displays and racks during the Show. The 40-foot-long display contains nearly 50 of the finest whitetails, including the world record Hanson Buck and Jordan Buck.

• With all there is to see and do, an outdoorsman or woman needs to map out an attack at the Labatt Beer Garden , sponsored by Labatt Blue and WNCX 98.5 FM. Kickback with a Blue and play a game of corn hole for a chance to win $1,000 in cash prizes! Qualifying corn hole matches will take place March 12 through March 15. The finals are scheduled for Sunday, March 16.

ENTERTAINMENT & FEATURES

• The Jungle Island Zoo will feature a variety of rare and unusual animals from around the world in the “Please-Touch” petting zoo , including a baby kangaroo! Guests can observe, pet, and feed critters they have only seen on television or in distant zoo enclosures. You will even have the opportunity to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime camel

• With hissing snakes lurking under every rock, guests should watch their step and come prepared to witness the fearsome “Snakes on a Stage” show. “Snakes On A Stage” is a deadly yet educational reptile show featuring an array of the world's creepiest crawlers. Experts from the Jungle Island Zoo will bring guests face to face with a collection of treacherous reptilian predators and slithering serpents. During the interactive show, brave children will be recruited to help round up a number of the slithering snakes. The show will take place at 1:30pm, 4:00pm and 7:00pm March 12-14; 12:00pm, 3:30pm and 7:00pm on March 15 and 12:00pm and 4:00pm on March 16.

• The Jungle Island Zoo exhibit will also invite guests to grab a sifter, step back in time and pan for gold ! A flowing stream filled with rocks and “gold nuggets” will offer amateur miners the opportunity to strike it rich!

• Everyone from the rookie to the novice will agree that the ever-popular Trout Pond is the best fishing hole at the Sport, Travel & Outdoor Show. Operated by Sports America, visitors can grab a pole and fish for live trout. Prizes such as fishing charter trips and whitewater rafting trips are awarded daily!

• Do you possess incredible strength, speed, endurance and mental toughness? Put your skills to the test and enter the Strong Man Competition presented by Health & Fitness Equipment Centers of Eastlake, Ohio!

• Extreme sport enthusiasts and adventurous types may want to tackle the rock climbing wall or obstacle course to get a rush of adrenaline or sense of accomplishment.

General Information

AAA is the official Advance Ticket Source for the Cleveland Sport, Travel and Outdoor Show. Advance tickets are available for $8.50 at Northeast Ohio AAA locations ( www.aaa.com / tickets ). Need not be a member to purchase. Group rates are available by calling 216.529.1300 . Admission at the door is $10.50 for adults and $5.00 for children ages 6-12. Children age 5 and under are admitted free. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts that attend the event in full uniform are admitted FREE . $1 off admission discount coupons are available at Discount Drug Mart.  

The 71 st Annual Cleveland Sport, Travel & Outdoor Show is held at the International Expositions Center (I–X Center) located at 6200 Riverside Drive, just off of Route 237 near Hopkins International Airport in Cleveland, Ohio.

Dates/Hours

2008 DATES/HOURS:
Wednesday, March 12 12:00pm – 9:00pm
Thursday, March 13 12:00pm – 9:00pm
Friday, March 14 12:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturday, March 15 10:00am – 9:00pm
Sunday, March 16 10:00am – 6:00pm

The 2008 Cleveland Sport, Travel & Outdoor Show, presented by Toyota Tundra and sponsored by Labatt Beer, WNCX 98.5FM and WTAM 1100, is produced by Cleveland-based Expositions, Inc. the Midwest 's largest show producer. Established in 1937, Expositions, Inc. has a 71-year history producing high-quality sport and travel shows.