ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Friday afternoon, the Daily Press kicked off its fourth annual U.P. Ice Fishing & Hunting Expo at the U.P. State Fairgrounds.
The Ruth Butler Building is filled with vendors displaying this season’s latest hunting blinds, firearms, ice augers, fishing lures, and other outdoor gear.
“Hunting season’s coming right up!” said Daily Press Publisher Sarah Greenlund. “We have everything you need for a great bow season and rifle season and—my favorite season of all—ice fishing season. Everything here is amazing. You can just grab it and you’ll be prepared.”
Young attendee Natalie Ralph agreed that the U.P. Ice Fishing and Hunting Expo is a great place to stock up on much-needed supplies.
“For most people, it’s a really big hobby for them,” she said. “Coming to the expo is so cool because people are saying, ‘Do you want to buy something so you can do those things?’ Feed, you need that. You need guns and bullets. You need fishing poles and ice houses.”
The expo also features seminars, axe throwing, food vendors, and kids’ activities, so there is something for every type of attendee.
“I like going to the Hunting and Fishing Expo to take my kids, teach them a little bit about the outdoors,” said Chris Kleikamp, who attended with his family. “You get to see all the different vendors.”
The expo runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 21. The only cost to attend is a donation to the Delta Animal Shelter or the Seventh-day Adventist Food Pantry.
Attendees should note that parking is different this year. Rather than driving through the main fairgrounds gate, they are advised to turn right and use the side entrance on 14th Avenue North.
WZMQ 19 is once again a proud sponsor of the U.P. Ice Fishing and Hunting Expo. For more information on the event, click here.
