Hundreds of outdoors enthusiasts will descend on Tilbury this weekend for one of the biggest hunting and fishing shows in the province.
The Big Buck Sportsmen's Show will take over the Tilbury Arena this Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The annual event is hosted by the Southwest Outdoors Club, and features 75 hunting and fishing vendor booths, a competition for the biggest buck and moose racks, plus lots of things for families.
"Kids activities, 3D archery range, we've got a demonstration with a group that does hunting dogs," said event co-chair Gerry Harvieux. "There's a live trout fishing pond, a live birds of prey display, hands-on taxidermy stuff. Very kid-oriented."
This year they also added food truck to help feed everyone, plus there is $2,500 in door prizes, and a draw for a new ATV, although tickets for that are almost sold out.
Harvieux added that the show just keeps growing.
"We actually had to expand the show outdoors this year. It's a very popular show, the only one bigger in the province is the Toronto Sportsmen Show," said Harvieux. "It all takes place in little old Tilbury."
Admission is $5, and kids 12 and under are free, and Harvieux said the money raised goes to conservation programs, and to support youth activities in the community.
"We currently are running the archery in the school program in five schools across Chatham-Kent and Essex County. We run a kids fishing derby every year that's completely free," said Harvieux. "Draws 300 or 400 kids every year, they all go home with a prize and we provide everything, including fishing rods if they need them."
To learn more about the Sportsmen Show, click here.