Boat, Sport & RV Show makes splash

Louisiana and the great outdoors n what a perfect marriage. Those looking to renew that union in 2011 should head out to the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center from Jan. 14-16 for the Southern Louisiana Boat, Sport and RV Show, which will unveil all of the newest wrinkles in the world of Sportsman’s Paradise.

“The new models for the boats and the new models for the RVs come out at the beginning of the year, so if people want to see the latest and greatest in makes and models for the boats and RV’s, as well as the new technologies that manufacturers are implementing, then people will definitely want to show up to our show,” show manager Sheldon Caple said. “This show coincides with the new stuff coming out and we have a lot of good stuff on display at this event.”

The event, which is in its 13th year, will feature more than 50 brands of boats and RVs for those interested in “viewing, boarding or buying” anything needed for outdoor adventures.

“You can only see so much of a particular model online or in a catalog or a brochure,” Caple said. “So if they want to come out and actually set foot in these boats and RVs and check them out for themselves, then that’s really what the show’s all about. … We bring the dealers to them instead of them having to drive miles and miles and miles to have to go from one dealer to another dealer, we bring them all to one place.”

While servicing those interested in making a new purchase is one thing, the show also takes care of people just looking to have some good, clean Louisiana fun.

Several annual attractions help balance the business side and the recreational side of the event, which keeps everyone of all ages happy.

One event that’s always a hit is the 5,000-gallon, glass-walled tub stocked full of bass that are just ripe for the picking for anyone interested in learning tips about bass fishing.

“We bring this in and stock it with bass, then we have professional instructors that come and demonstrate how different lures work and give different tips on how to catch bass,” Caple said. “They actually demonstrate and put on seminars to show people how different baits work, while people say has been quite helpful.”

If the bass tub isn’t enough for someone’s fishing fancy, the event also features a Fish-O-Rama trout pond, where children are able to put their angling talents on display.

On Friday, those talents could come doubly handy as all children under 12 are admitted free that day and included in that is one free trip in that pond.

“It’s stocked with big rainbow trout and kids are able to come out on Friday night and fish for free,” Caple said. “That’s something everyone looks forward to every year.”

New to the event this year will be Dan Cole’s award-winning “Wild Whitetails” display, which is an assembly of “some of the most unique collections of Whitetail deer ever assembled for public display.”

“Anyone interested in deer hunting will be very impressed by this display, I promise you,” Caple said.

Making up the display is 20 wild antlered deer mounts, which feature unique antler configurations.

According to Cole, the idea may be simple, but the antlers do all of the talking.

“These deer are unbelievable,” he said. “Our goal is to give the viewer way more than they expect, and we have consistently proven that we have accomplished that.”

Admission for the show is $7 for adults and $2 for kids 6-to-15 every day except Friday, when children are admitted free.

The show’s hours are 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

So make some time and go see the best in Sportsman’s Paradise for the New Year at the Southern Louisiana Boat, Sport and RV Show.

“This is the 13th year we’ve been doing the show and each year it tends to get better and better,” Caple said. “So we’re very excited about the show again this year and hope to have a big turnout in the Houma area.”

The Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center will be filled with the latest boats and RVs and exhibits on travel, hunting and other recreation at this month’s 13th Annual Southern Louisiana Boat, Sport & RV Show.