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"In The News"
April 29, 2008
There was a time, not so long ago, that my summers were marked by a weeklong
family
beach vacation on North Carolina's Outer Banks.
But with the economy struggling, gas prices creeping toward $4 a gallon and the
ever-increasing cost of vacation home rentals, I'll be spending the dog days
close
to home this year.
Recent news reports about the weak economy's impact on the middle class indicate
my family is hardly the only one scaling back summer vacation plans. While that
may
be a disappointment to those who long to feel the sand between their toes, it's
also an
opportunity to experience low-cost, close-to-home options such as the
Lehigh Valley Hunting and Fishing Extravaganza, which returns June 20-22 for its
third
annual run at the Kempton Fairgrounds.
''This year, with the economy, it might be tough for some people to go on a big,
fancy,
expensive vacation,'' said Bob Danenhower, the extravaganza's co-director.
''This is a great, affordable day or weekend for families to come out and enjoy
themselves.
There's a lot to see and a lot to do.''
Unlike most other outdoor shows, which are held at indoor venues during the cold
winter
months, the Lehigh Valley Hunting and Fishing Extravaganza takes place at a
sprawling
outdoor venue that gives organizers plenty of room to offer hands-on activities
such as
3-D archery shoots, sporting clays, black powder shooting and trout fishing.
The fairgrounds also offers plenty of space for attractions such as hunting dog
demonstrations, horse-drawn buggy rides, a sportsmen's flea market and the
popular
Mr./Mrs. Lehigh Valley Outdoorsman Competition.
''This is not a money trap like a lot of other shows,'' said Danenhower, owner
of
Bob's Wildlife Taxidermy in Orefield. ''We do not charge for parking.
We charge a modest admission fee, and food and extra activities are also
very affordably priced.''
Although the Lehigh Valley's only local outdoor show offers plenty for visitors
of all ages,
the extravaganza places a special emphasis on encouraging young people to
explore the
region's hunting, trapping and fishing heritage. In addition to a free
trout-fishing area for
children, the event will feature 10 activity stations sponsored by local
sportsmen's clubs
that will give children the opportunity to try activities such as BB gun
shooting, archery,
knot tying, lure casting and tomahawk throwing.
Uniformed Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts receive free show admission, and Scouts who
successfully complete all 10 activity stations can compete for prizes that will
be awarded
to the weekend's top three scorers. Scouts also can compete for cash donations
through
the Troop Challenge, a competition to see which Scouting group can construct the
best
pioneering or camping gadget.
One of the most interesting new attractions at this year's show will be a
whitetail deer
antler measuring and jawbone aging event sponsored by the Greater Lehigh Valley
Branch
of the Quality Deer Management Association. Sportsmen who bring their
mounts/antlers
and jawbones to the event will have an opportunity to receive an official
measurement by
certified scorers and learn the age of their trophy based on expert jawbone
examination.
Prizes will be awarded to the highest-scoring entries, and the association also
will
hold a general drawing for all participants to encourage people to bring their
antlers
and jawbones to the show.
Other new attractions this year include a state Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources booth offering information on private forest management and
wildlife habitats, and a display of antique hunting and fishing collectibles by
local
historian Joe Eder.
Additional show highlights include a living history pioneer encampment by the
Pennsylvania Federation of Black Powder Shooters; U.S. Army rock climbing
wall and shooting simulator; Weaknecht’s Archery 50-target 3-D course; chain saw
carving;
a display of vehicles by extravaganza sponsor Rothrock Motors; and
scenic train rides on the historic Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern railroad.
LEHIGH VALLEY HUNTING AND FISHING EXTRAVAGANZA
What: The third annual Lehigh Valley Hunting and Fishing Extravaganza is an
outdoor celebration of the region's sporting heritage. The three-day event will
feature
hands-on activities such as 3-D archery shoots, shotgun shooting, kids trout
fishing,
rock-wall climbing and more.
Other attractions include a sportsmen's flea market, displays by retailers and
outfitters,
hunting dog demonstrations, horse-drawn buggy rides, special events for Boy
Scouts
and Girl Scouts and the annual Mr./Mrs. Lehigh Valley Outdoorsman Competition.
When: June 20-22
Where: Kempton Fairgrounds
Hours: Noon-8 p.m. June 20; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 21-22
Admission: Adults, $4; Children 8-12, $1; Children under 8 and uniformed
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, free.
Parking: Free
Directions: Take Interstate 78 west to Exit 40. Follow Route 737 north into
Kempton
and follow the signs to the fairgrounds.
More information: Online at http://www.lvhfe.com
Source: Lehigh Valley Hunting and Fishing Extravaganza
cberg@mcall.com
610-778-2252
Copyright © 2008,
The Morning Call
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