Young hands test the waters at show
In the middle of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont sits one of the biggest draws of this weekend's Chicagoland Outdoors Show: a 40-foot tank, stocked with 500 rainbow trout.
They range in size from 8 to 15 inches, officials say, and these fish are biting.
"It's like fishing on a lake," says Carlos Honaker, of Sports America, which operates the Trout Pond. "You don't always catch a fish, but the kids have a real good shot at catching something."
It's all catch and release, he adds, so when a child -- or an adult -- catches a fish, it's thrown back in the tank, after being measured and determined if it's a winner.
Contests take place throughout each day, where anglers and wanna-be anglers can win fishing trips, charters, candy and fishing lures.
The outdoors show opened Wednesday and continues from 2-8 p.m. today, 2-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
Special features include free admission during the week for children 16 and younger, as well as daily for any Scout who comes in uniform.
"We're really trying to add activities that bring families in," says John Lewinski, show producer, with Chicagoland Events. "It's very important that we draw a younger audience. They're the customers of the future."
Catching fish and winning prizes at such attractions as the Trout Pond, help foster the sport, officials said.
"Typically this is a child's first experience catching a fish," Honaker said. "We encourage them to take the fish off the hook themselves and make it interactive. We want to spark some interest in fishing."
There is an added fee for the Trout Pond. It costs $5 to fish for as long as five minutes, or $12 for a family of three.
Show producers aim to deliver family entertainment for children of all ages. For starters, they point to the Great Lakes Timer Show, that returns this year with real lumberjacks competing in chainsaw carving, ax throwing and log rolling.
New this year is the archery range, where children can test their bow and arrow skills, in a center sponsored by Cimmarron Archery of Richmond. Nearby, is a rifle range, where youngsters can try their hand at shooting air rifles in a secured environment.
One of the most popular events to return to the show, is DockDogs, straight from its gig on ESPN. Dogs compete for the longest jump, running from a ramp into a tank of water.
Residents can register their own dogs to compete. With on-site training before the competitions, it's just as fun to see the rookies compete, as well as the seasoned veterans.
Seating is located around the dock and tank, and show producers describe it as "unlimited."
For more information or to register your dog for competition, visit chicagolandsportshow.com.
If you go
What: Chicagoland Outdoors Show
When: 2-8 p.m. today, 2-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont
Cost: $9, $8 for seniors, $3 for children ages 6 to 12, with free admission for children 6 and younger. On weekdays, children age 16 and younger admitted for free. Scouts in uniform get in free daily. Garage parking costs $11
For more information: chicagolandsportshow.com