In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Bass Pro Shops is bringing back the World’s Fishing Fair this spring.
The World’s Fishing Fair will include live music, fishing seminars, bargains and opportunities to meet fishing professionals March 30 – April 3 in Springfield.
The first iteration of Bass Pro’s World’s Fishing Fair was in 1988.
Over the last 34 years, the title “World’s Fishing Fair” has been used for other Bass Pro events, but a company spokesperson told the News-Leader that this year’s event will be modeled after the “historical” 1998 fair.
According to Bass Pro, hundreds of thousands of fishing enthusiasts attended the first World’s Fishing Fair. They filed into outdoor tents to listen to celebrity fishermen Roland Martin, host of “Fishing with Roland Martin” on NBCSN; Bill Dance, host of “Bill Dance Outdoors;” and Jimmy Houston, host of “Jimmy Houston Outdoors.”
These fishing professionals will make an appearance at this year’s fair, alongside others including Rick Clunn, Kevin VanDam, Edwin Evers and Skeet Reese.
In addition to the panels of celebrity fishermen, country musicians will headline Concerts for Conservation, a string of concerts to be held throughout the event. Hank Williams Jr., Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley and Chris Janson are among the headlining acts. Concert dates are to be determined.
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Similar to 1988, this year’s World’s Fishing Fair will include 150 manufacturers across fishing, boating and outdoor categories, according to a Bass Pro news release. Manufacturing representatives and technicians will be available to provide in-person education about the industry’s latest innovations.
Throughout the five-day event, factory closeout and overstock tackle, fishing boats and other vehicles will be available for sale.
While at the Bass Pro’s national headquarters, attendees may visit the National Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame, American Fly Fishing Museum, Archery Hall of Fame and NRA National Sporting Arms Museum.
Tickets will be available for purchase online and at the fair. One-day general admission tickets are $8 for ages 9-15 and $20 for 16 and up. Two-day passes are $10 for ages 9-15 and $25 for 16 and up. Three-day passes are $12 for ages 9-15 and $30 for 16 and up. Children 8 and under are free.
Online tickets will be available and parking details will be shared on the Bass Pro World’s Fishing Fair website closer to the event.
Half of the World’s Fishing Fair’s proceeds will be donated to support local conservation. While specific organizations supported by the fair have yet to be announced, Bass Pro is a donor to organizations including Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the Safari Club International Foundation, the International Game Fish Association and others.
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com
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