ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – This weekend, the Daily Press is hosting an annual event for outdoorsmen and women at the U.P. State Fairgrounds.
The third U.P. Ice Fishing and Hunting Expo runs Friday, September 20 through Sunday, Sepember 22, just over a month earlier than last year’s event. According to Daily Press Publisher Sarah Greenlund, the date change is on track to boost both vendor and attendee numbers.
“Every year, we ask the vendors what they think, and the majority said, ‘Let’s try September this year,'” she said. “Even though last year we had a great turnout—best turnout from the first year—this year, the vendor participation has just been overwhelming.”
More than 70 vendors will have their goods on display at more than 120 booths, with all the hunting, fishing, and camping gear needed for the upcoming seasons.
“Bow season’s just a couple weeks away, then of course normal rifle season, so it’s a great time to get all your gear that you need for camp or for your blind,” Greenlund said. “Right after is ice fishing season, so it’s time to get stocked up.”
This year’s expo will also feature a fish pond, a virtual reality shooting range, minnow races, fish bingo, and hunting and fishing seminars. Delta County Search & Rescue will also be on site with airboats and the gear they use when responding to ice rescues.
While the U.P. Ice Fishing and Hunting Expo is free to attend, guests are asked to bring donations for a local food pantry or for the Delta Animal Shelter.
“We’ve got a big show planned,” said Greenlund. “It’s going to be an exciting weekend!”
The expo runs Friday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more details on the event, click here or follow the U.P. Ice Fishing and Hunting Expo on Facebook.
WZMQ 19 is a proud sponsor of the 2024 U.P. Ice Fishing and Hunting Expo. The station will have a booth at the event, with Escanaba Bureau Reporter Lily Simmons in attendance on Friday and Sunday and Account Executive Mark Nebel in attendance on Saturday.
