“From its shows and attractions to the Fall foliage and festivals such as Silver Dollar City’s National Harvest Festival there is so much to see and do in Branson in the Fall,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “Branson will have a new Fall event this year,” she said. “The ‘Midwest Hunting and Fishing Expo,’ will be at the Branson Convention Center on October 8-10.”
The “Midwest Hunting and Fishing Expo” (Expo) is owned and presented by “J & M Sports Shows, LLC” (J&M). Jim Thompson, owner of the Central Pro-Am Association and Mike Webb, of K.A.S.T (Kids are Special Too) are both principals in J& M. The Expo is sponsored by the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services and Branson.com, Branson’s oldest continuously operated and most trafficked destination web site.
Thompson said that the Expo will consist of vendors exhibits, seminars by top hunting and fishing pros, great activities for kids and will just be a great time for those who love hunting and fishing. “We’re going to have a hundred plus vendors there such as Ranger Boats, Tracker/Nitro Marine, Phoenix Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Table Rock Lures, Ozark Knife Makers, Humminbird Marine Repair, the Wild Turkey Federation, Wild Idea Archery, Outlaw Rods , O’Reilly, Central Pro-Am Association, Missouri Water Patrol and the Missouri Department of Conservation to mention a few.
Noted hunter and outdoor TV personality Jerry Martin *
He was really excited about the level of expertise that will be putting on seminars saying, “There will be specific detailed seminars by top hunting and fishing professionals.” Although the final list of speakers is still being finalized Thompson did point out that in the area of fishing there will be seminars by professional bass fishermen Stacy King, Brian Snowden, Pete Winter, Mike Webb; fly fishing by one of the country’s top women fly fishers, Branson’s own Carolyn Parker and others. World renowned Ozark knife maker Tom McGinnis will be speaking as well as noted hunters Jerry Martin and Alan Treadwell.
Mike Webb said, “There will be plenty of activities for children too.” He said that among other things there will be face painting, balloon animals as well as a kid’s casting contest and other activities.
Thompson said there is a limited number of 10′ x 10′ exhibition booths available for the Expo. He also pointed out that the Expo will be open on Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Branson Tourism Center’s Tammy Johnson reminds those planning on attending the Expo of all that Branson has to offer in conjunction with the Expo. In addition to all of Branson’s other shows and attractions there will be Silver Dollar City’s National Harvest Festival and limited engagement performances by Viki Lawrence, Ray Stevens and the Texas Tenors. “And speaking of the outdoors,” she said, “what could be more ‘outdoors’ than the spectacular foliage of the Ozarks in the Fall?”
She suggests that it would be a good idea to make advance reservations for lodging and shows and offers the free service of the Branson Tourism Center to help design your own custom made package of Branson shows, attractions and lodging in conjunction with attending the Midwest Hunting and Fishing Expo. The Branson Tourism Center may be reached by calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.
*Photo courtesy of Bass Pro Shops