8th Annual Central Illinois Outdoor Expo

   What has become one of the area’s top winter events, the 8th Annual Central Illinois Outdoor Expo will be held Friday, February 8 and Saturday, February 9.  The venue for the show will once again be the Otto Center located on County Line Road one quarter mile south of downtown Arthur.

   New hours this year are Friday 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 am to 3:00 p.m.    

   The Expo will have a full slate of vendors offering gear and supplies ranging from hunting, fishing, archery and taxidermy to hiking, boating, bird calls, lures, generators, and chainsaws as well as information on conservation of our natural resources.  The list of vendors has grown each year and 2019 is no exception.  If you and your family like to spend time in the great outdoors, then the Outdoor Expo will be a fantastic way to preview all the latest equipment and information to help you do just that.

  New to the 2019 CIOE is the addition of a Quantum Sport fishing simulator.  The fish fight on the fishing simulator screen is completely synchronized with the feel on your rod and reel. Experience virtual fishing…as the fish strikes, the rod bends, the reel screams and the fight is on!

  Also new to the Expo this year will be a hit with kids of all ages.  Wildlife on Wheels brought to you by Aikman Wildlife Adventure will feature small animals with which you can get an up close and personal experience!  This special exhibit will be open on Friday, February 8 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

  For the kids there will be a gaming area that includes bow/bb gun target shooting provided by Cross Trail Outfitters Illinois.  Over the next few weeks organizers are working on finalizing even more new things to do at this family friendly event.    

  Seminars will be held both days of the event by area outdoor experts.  The seminar schedule is as follows:

      Friday, February 8 - 6:00 pm Shane Zach (School’s Out Sport Fishing Charters)

      Saturday, February 9 - 10:00 am John Carr (Shelbyville Fishing)

                                           11:00 am Mike Roux, (Advanced Turkey Hunting)

                                           12:30 pm Shane Zach (School’s Out Sport Fishing Charters)

   The Central Illinois Outdoor Expo is particularly pleased to welcome Mike Roux who is an award-winning outdoor writer.  Roux is a freelance writer for more than 100 outdoor magazine and newspapers.   Adding to his list of talents, he is also an accomplished speaker who annually books several speaking engagements nationwide including banquets, game dinners and other outdoor events.

Roux has been a professional guide and game caller for over two decades. He has worked with the Pro Staffs of several outdoor products manufacturers. He is a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, as well as the Missouri Outdoor Communicators.

   As a book author, Roux has recently released his new turkey-hunting book called, If You Call Them... They Will Come. This award-winning outdoor writer has spent over 35-years in the turkey woods and has published hundreds of articles on the topic of chasing gobblers. This book is a collection of his very best works and is sure to please novice and veteran turkey hunters alike.

   Each day there will be numerous giveaways as well as door prizes supplied by event vendors and others.  There will also be FOUR $100 gift cards to area merchants given away over the two day event sponsored by the Central Illinois Outdoor Expo committee.

   You are all invited to come out and experience the great outdoors in the Arthur area for a weekend of winter fun for the entire family.