The opportunity for families to experience the fun of Iowa’s outdoors is right around the corner. The seventh annual Iowa Outdoor Expo is Sept. 26 and 27 at Waterworks Park in Des Moines.
The Outdoor Expo allows attendees the opportunity to try many different activities in a safe, controlled environment. There will be opportunities to try fishing, bow fishing, canoeing and kayaking, outdoor cooking, trap shooting, archery, off road vehicles and more. A full list of activities is available at www.iowadnr.gov/expo.
“This is a family friendly event with plenty of activities designed for people of all skill levels. We have instructors on hand to teach the activities, offer guidance and tips for them to enjoy the activity when they are on their own,” said Megan Wisecup, hunter education administrator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “We have scheduled a few new events this year, including two live raptor releases and a real pioneer wedding at the buck skinners tent Saturday afternoon.”
While attendance and activities has grown each year, what has not grown is the entry fee – it is still free entry to everyone.
The Iowa Outdoor Expo is open September 26 from 9-6 and September 27 from 10-4, which coincides with September 26th’s designation as National Hunting and Fishing Day. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed the proclamation on April 1.
The proclamation references Iowa’s rich and storied tradition of hunting and fishing that predates statehood and that it is important for young Iowans to carry on the traditions of hunting and fishing and outdoor recreation.
The Iowa Outdoor Expo is sponsored by the Izaak Walton League, Polk County Conservation, the U.S. Sportsman’s Alliance Foundation, SOAR Saving Our Avian Resources, Weatherby Foundation International, Friends of NRA, MidIowa Bassmasters, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Theisens Home-Farm-Auto, Shallow Water Investigators Bowfishing, Northern Lights Pizza and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.