The Expo is open!

After a brief ribbon cutting ceremony, the 2013 Bassmaster Classic Expo opened at Noon today.

TULSA, Okla. — After a brief ribbon cutting ceremony, the 2013 Bassmaster Classic Expo opened at Noon today. Dignitaries in attendance included Tulsa Mayor Dewey F. Bartlett Jr. and Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb.

Immediately after cutting the ribbon, Lt. Governor Lamb was asked if he was glad to be hosting the 2013 Bassmaster Classic. He replied, “No, I’m not glad to have you. I’m ecstatic!” And then, with obvious enthusiasm, continued his answer with the following remarks.

“To show how significant this is for Tulsa, Northeast Oklahoma and the state of Oklahoma — in in the last week, there’s a journalist outside the state of Oklahoma [who] said that this week Northeast Oklahoma — Tulsa — will be the center of the bass universe. Therefore, if you want to see the universe you gotta come to Tulsa. You gotta come to Grand Lake.

“This is so good for our state. It’ll mean roughly 26 million dollars for this part of our state and roughly 100 thousand visitors in Northeast Oklahoma, along with the residual factor of people wanting to come to Grand Lake after they see the tournament on ESPN next week.” See TV schedule.

Lt. Governor Lamb went on to explain that a part of his thrill with hosting the Classic is that he’s a frustrated fisherman himself, and that he has two children who love to go fishing. With a father’s pride, he points out that his sixth grade son, Griffin, is better at the sport than he is. The Lt. Governor owns one fishing rod; Griffin owns eight. And his third grade daughter, Lauren, has been fishing since she was in the first grade.

“As a dad, I’m thrilled that B.A.S.S. is here. The men and women associated with Bassmaster are wonderful individuals. The pros are wonderful examples, great men…I’m just thrilled that these pros have descended on Oklahoma. It’s great for our state.”

The Expo will be open to the public through Sunday. Visit Bassmaster.com/classicinfo for more information.