CELEBRATION, Fla. — Have you ever wanted to appear on the cover of Bassmaster magazine, or test your flipping, pitching and casting skills? The ESPN Outdoors Expo at the Bassmaster Memorial offers these opportunities and more as it opens its doors both Saturday and Sunday, May 20-21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT — right before the world’s top BASS anglers take the weigh-in stage for the inaugural Bassmaster Memorial, which awards the winner $250,000 cash.
The Bassmaster Memorial will be fished on Eagle Mountain Lake in Fort Worth, Texas. Weigh-ins — and the expo — will be at Will Rogers Memorial Center. The weigh-in will be in the Will Rogers Coliseum and the expo will be staged in the Amon G. Carter Exhibit Hall.
“The Bassmaster Memorial is the first of three Majors to highlight BASS’ top anglers and reward our fans with an expanded outdoors consumer expo, similar to that of the CITGO Bassmaster Classic,” said Don Rucks, vice president and general manager of BASS. “With anglers available for autographs, sponsor displays and fan contests, the expo is the perfect opportunity for children and adults to be part of all the off-the-water BASS action.”
The free ESPN Outdoors Expo will feature the latest fishing gear and tackle displays, prize giveaways, fun for kids including spin art and airbrush tattoos, and a Georgia Southern University Wildlife Experience, featuring live demonstrations and displays of birds of prey and reptiles.
At the BASS booth, Bassmaster magazine editor James Hall will host interviews with anglers and stars of ESPN2 outdoors programming. Fans also can sign up to become BASS members, purchase Bassmaster Memorial apparel, get their picture taken added to the cover of Bassmaster, and see the Majors, the CITGO Bassmaster Classic and CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year trophies up close on display.
“With such a diverse number of exhibitors, interactive displays and family-friendly activities, the ESPN Outdoors Expo is a wonderful compliment to seeing anglers compete on the water for $250,000,” said Jim Wright, the expo event manager.
Children ages 7-14 years old who are eager to show off their pitching, flipping and casting skills can compete in a CastingKids event Saturday, May 20, from 10 a.m. -2:30 p.m. CT, hosted by the Texas BASS Federation Nation.
Plus, official BASS sponsors will host interactive booths including: the Toyota Outdoor Experience; Triton Boats and Mercury Marine boat displays; the Busch BASS Mobile Unit; Berkley in the Zone experience and tank; and demos from Lowrance Electronics.
Daily tournament weigh-ins begin 3:30 p.m. CT, May 18-21. The final day’s weigh-in will include same-day coverage on ESPN2, May 21 at 7 p.m. ET.
What: The ESPN Outdoors Expo at the Bassmaster Memorial, in conjunction with the Bassmaster Memorial
When: May 20-21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT
Where: Will Rogers Memorial Center in the Amon G. Carter Exhibit Hall, 3401 West Lancaster, Fort Worth, Texas, 76107
Cost: FREE
Local sponsors include the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information, visit www.FortWorth.com
Sponsors of the Bassmaster Majors include CITGO Petroleum Corp., Toyota, Busch Beer, Purolator, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Berkley, Lowrance Electronics, MotorGuide, Advance Auto Parts and Theraseed.