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Event to celebrate outdoor heritage

Christian Berg
Outdoors

Count Bob Danenhower among the many local sportsmen who were disappointed to hear about the demise of the Lehigh Valley Outdoor Expo Sport Show.

The annual event had been a staple of the local hunting and fishing scene since 1974, and it had a profound impact on Danenhower's own outdoor experience.

Danenhower, 44, of North Whitehall Township, said the show was a highlight of his youth. He credits the event for many lasting friendships and teaching him skills such as duck calling and fly tying. It's also where he picked up a passion for taxidermy by admiring the lifelike work of expo organizer Dick Laros, an Allentown taxidermist.

''That's what led to me becoming a taxidermist,'' said Danenhower, who owns Bob's Wildlife Taxidermy in Orefield. ''It was that inspiration.''

This year's expo was scheduled for March 3-5 at the 95,000-square-foot Pennsylvania Expo Center in South Whitehall Township. However, Laros canceled the show in January — a difficult decision he made due to declining attendance, difficulty in attracting exhibitors and increasing competition from outdoor retailers such as Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops.

Although Laros' decision made sense from a business standpoint, Danenhower couldn't help but feel a sense of loss — not only for himself but for local youngsters who would not have the same opportunities he enjoyed.

That's when Danenhower called his friend Rick Weaknecht, owner of Weaknecht Archery in Kutztown. The pair started brainstorming, and it wasn't long before they decided to organize a new event they dubbed the Lehigh Valley Hunting and Fishing Extravaganza.

The extravaganza, scheduled for June 23-25 at the Kempton Fairgrounds, will celebrate the region's outdoor heritage with plenty of family-oriented activities.

Although the event is designed to appeal to all ages, it's no surprise a heavy emphasis is being placed on youth. Uniformed Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will be admitted free, and Danenhower plans to offer prizes to all youngsters who participate in a series of hands-on activities.

''With a show like this, the more youth you can draw, the better off you are keeping the traditions and sports going,'' he said. ''We're just broadening their horizons. They'll walk by a booth and see a guy casting a fly rod and think, 'Wow, that's really neat.' That's the kind of thing that sparks somebody to become a fly fisher.''

One of the highlights of the extravaganza will be the first-ever Mr. Lehigh Valley Outdoorsman Competition, in which contestants must prove their mettle in events such as target shooting, archery, tomahawk throwing, deer dragging, lumber chopping and rod casting. Danenhower said the competition also will feature women's and youth divisions, with winners receiving trophies and other prizes.

The Lehigh Valley Hunting and Fishing Extravaganza will replace the annual Weaknecht Bow Fair, which was held at the fairgrounds the previous 15 years. However, Weaknecht said the 3-D shoots, running deer target and other popular archery events from Bow Fair will be included in the extravaganza.

Other attractions on the schedule include a trout fishing pond, video shooting simulator, sporting dog demonstrations, taxidermy displays, Lehigh Valley trophy buck exhibit, hunting and fishing collectibles show, sportsmen's flea market, retail vendors, guides and outfitters and expert seminars on hunting, fishing and trapping.

Although Danenhower and Weaknecht are organizing the event, they want to partner with local sportsmen's clubs, conservation organizations and other outdoor-oriented groups that can both benefit from exposure at the event and offer additional attractions.

''It's their chance to run raffles, sell memberships and things of that nature, but we want them to do it in ways that promote our sports,'' Danenhower said. ''We've got lots of ideas, and we're open to ideas as well. We want to get as much new blood and excitement pushed into this as we can.''

An organizational meeting for the Lehigh Valley Hunting and Fishing Extravaganza will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Copeechan Fish and Game clubhouse in North Whitehall. Representatives from local outdoor organizations are invited. For more information or directions, call Danenhower at 610-398-7609.

christian.berg@mcall.com

610-778-2252

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