If you have never been to the Missouri River Outdoor Expo you really should find room on your calendar next year to attend.? As a staff member for Game and Parks I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend this event for the last two years and I can tell you there is nothing like it in Nebraska.
Known as the largest expo in the Midwest, the annual event aims to introduce or rekindle the interest in natural resources and outdoor recreation through more than 80 hands-on wildlife and outdoor sport demonstrations, exhibits and entertainment. There are activities for all ages, interests and enthusiasts.? This year Ponca State Park flagged 52,000 visitors through their gates and ran full shuttles for every minute of the three day event.? The Mini-Lodges and cabins were full to the brim and the camp sites resembled a beehive of colored tents, coolers and perpetual motion of children enjoying the outdoor adventure that only woods, creeks and wide open spaces can offer.
The event offers an amazing cross section of activities for all members of the family.? They have mentors, both volunteers and staff members, who provide one on one,? hands-on experiences in bowfishing, kayaking, archery and? firearms.? The facilities that house these activities are second to none and their 
construction is most often a community event of local volunteers, fundraising and generous sponsors. For example this was the first year for the new rifle range and archery facility. These structures reflect the diligent care and attention to detail that is evident in this park at every level and in each staff member, volunteer and sponsor you will encounter at this event. The Eric Wiebe Shooting Complex, also known as the ?Shooter?s Village?,? features all-weather ranges for pellet gun, archery, muzzleloader, .22-caliber rifle, shotgun, slingshot. This year they added tomahawk throwing? and atl-atl to the mix much to the delight of adults and children alike.? Over the weekend, approximately 3,400 people blasted a Muzzleloader ?as 1,700 fired a shotgun and approximately 2,500 archers shot over 10,000 arrows.
Last year the flooding prohibited scheduling of any events down by the river but this year the bank was hopping once again with activity and an ongoing crowd of attendees snaked the lines and filled the seats for demonstrations, boat rides and exhibitions throughout the weekend.? The ever-popular Missouri River boat tours provided a number of people with a first-hand look at the river.?
The 1800?s Heritage Encampment showcasing traditional skills with demonstrations drew crowds intrigued with mementos and artifacts of Nebraska?s history.? The Toasted Ponies band, sponsored by the Nebraska Arts Council, provided a lively selection of? Bluegrass tunes for the crowds.? Sprinkled on each side of the walkway were dozens of outdoor recreation, conservation and sport organizations providing product and education information for the attendees.
One of the crowd favorites was Matt Stutzman, the ?armless archer?,? from Fairfield, Iowa. Stutzman made a proud return to the Expo with a silver medal from the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.?? During the 2011 Expo, he broke the world record for longest accurate archery shot ? 230 yards ? using his feet.? Additional shooting sports entertainers included Benelli Exhibition Shooter, Tim Bradley, from Arkansas and Trick Archer, Frank ?Asprin Buster? Addington, Jr., from West Virginia.
The surrounding prairie land became an overflow parking lot for guests, as guided shuttles ferried 
thousands to three different locations within the park. The first shuttle stop brought visitors to the Resource and Education Center location.? This area was a hub of activity.
The DockDogs canine aquatics competition with 148 registered dogs, ?dog trainer Tony Hoard and the K9 Friz-B-Crew and the Timberworks Lumberjacks entertained crowds throughout the day.? At the nearby Pond, a flurry of anglers, kayakers, scuba divers, rock climbers and live fish displays continuously attracted both on-lookers and participants.
On Sunday, the Outdoor Cooking Tent featured a Wild Game Cook-Off with area restaurants Kahill?s, Minervas and Eldons, winning first, second and third place, respectively.? On the menu was a variety of wild game, including Wild Boar BLTs, Vension Sliders and German Bratwurst.? Storyteller Dick Turpin emceed the event as three judges, representing the Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever, made their final decision.? 
Kahill?s restaurant also won the People?s Choice award, voted on by public.? Attendees were also welcome to sample wine & cheese, smoked meat, spices, dutch oven cooking and more.? Over 18 food vendor locations were on-hand to satisfy any lingering cravings.
In conjunction with The Better Ponca Foundation, over 500 community volunteers dedicated time to provide information, guided tours and provided general assistance to the public over the weekend.? Other volunteers from the region assisted with shooting sports instruction, event exhibitions and demonstrations. ?A total of 65 sponsors contributed to support this family-friendly event and to keep attendance free. The event is made possible each year through the generosity of Expo sponsors and volunteers.
On Friday, Sept 14?the day before the Expo?a total of 892 students traveled to the Park to attend the invitational Expo School Day event.?? The 5th-graders in attendance represent 21 schools from the tri-state area, traveling as far as 90 miles to participate in over 42 activities including kayaking, bowfishing, archery and educational sessions.
Next years event , The 9th Annual Missouri River Outdoor Expo,? is planned for Sept. 21-22, 2013.? Make plans now to attend for one of the best outdoor experiences Nebraska has to offer.
The Missouri River Outdoor Expo was recently presented the 2012 ?Excellence in Conservation? Award from the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
( click on any of the images included in this article to view a larger version )
Source: http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/blogs/2012/10/ponca-expo-draft/
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