The City of Douglas is proud to showcase the first Douglas Hunting, Fishing, & Outdoors Expo at Central Square Complex in downtown Douglas, August 26-27, 2011. Partnering with the Boy Scouts of America, Douglas Police Department, General Coffee State Park, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia State Patrol, Gopher Plantation, National Wild Turkey Federation, the National Rifle Association, and the Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation, event planners are expecting a great turnout. Sponsors and exhibitors are being sought to help fill both exhibit halls and the grounds at Central Square Complex with items relating to outdoor apparel, hunting gear, ATVs, boats, hunting/camping trips, fishing accessories, and more specialty outdoor merchandise.
“We know that hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities are a huge part of our lives in South Georgia,” says Central Services Director Georgia Henderson. “We have a lot of businesses in our community who thrive on the different sporting seasons and this expo will be the perfect opportunity, under one roof, to showcase a business relating to outdoor activities. Sponsorships have been received from Top Shots Sporting Clays Club, Coca Cola, City of Douglas Gas Department, Georgia Hunting & Fishing Federation, Dixie Homecrafters, and Dewey Hayes Jr. Attorney at Law, but, more sponsors and exhibitors are needed for this to be a successful community event.”
Spaces for exhibitors will be located inside Central Square Complex and on the grounds. Exhibitors will include Top Shots Sporting Clays Club, Georgia Hunting & Fishing Federation, Dixie Homecrafters, City of Douglas Gas Department, Coastal Angler Magazine, General Coffee State Park, The Leather Wagon, Moore Than Graphics, Norris Shoe Store, Eicher’s Pro Vinyl & Roofing, Douglas Lions Club, National Rifle Association, Gopher Plantation, Fred’s Leather Shop, Georgia Forestry Commission, Maca-Jig, and Lott Marine. As with any large event, food vendors are being sought to participate this year. Some of the food vendors signed up are Brick City Barbecue, Mr. Lloyd’s Pork Skins and Cracklings, and K & K Sausage Dogs.
For the person who wants a “real” taste of wild game, there will be a Wild Game Supper on Friday night, August 26th, at the C.E. Weir Center. Tickets will go on sale on July 1st at the Central Services Offices located at Central Square Complex. The guest speaker for the supper will be the host of the Outdoor Channel Outfitters, Neil Rohrbach. Tickets will be $13.00 per person. The Wild Game Supper sponsors are Gopher Plantation, Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation, and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Everyone will have a chance to hear “hunting & fishing tales” from a celebrity while tasting some of the best Wild Game cooking around!
“The Committee, partners, and sponsors have been working diligently to help make this event a success,” says Henderson. “We will appreciate any help from the community by letting us know about possible sponsors or exhibitors and then, of course, we need the community to take an active part in the expo, by coming out on August 26 & 27th to show their support.”
If you are interested in becoming a partner, sponsor, or exhibitor, please contact the Central Services Department at (912)383-0277. For more information, about the Hunting, Fishing, and Outdoors Expo go to www.CityofDouglas.com/HFO.
