ST. GEORGE – The Ultimate Outdoor Expo, held Friday and Saturday at the Dixie Convention Center, 1835 S. Convention Center Drive in St. George, features a variety of activities and demonstrations aimed at bringing families together to enjoy the great outdoors. The Expo continues through 8 p.m. Saturday.
(story continues below)
Videocast by Leanna Bergeron, St. George News
“About 15 years ago, we did home shows down here,” Sylvia Andersen, expo producer, said. “I travel through St. George all the time and I have family here; my daughter taught school here. We really looked at this as a growing market and a market of people that really enjoyed the outdoors. Perfect for our show. That’s why we came to St. George.”
Some of the demonstrations at expo have included DockDogs, a competition for dogs that includes obedience, high jump and long jump; skeet shooting; archery; Dutch oven cooking; wildlife photography; golf; and many others. The show has also included multiple giveaways and prizes for attendees.
Andersen said:
We have about 25 workshops and activities that are free once people get in the door. That’s the thing that is a real focus for us. We want families to come, and when they pay their ticket to get in, all the activities are free. It’s not $5 for this climbing wall and all of that. We’ve got RVs, we’ve got camper trailers, we’ve got the DockDogs, which are amazing and fun. Today also is the NRA marksmanship competition as well as demonstrations from the cowboy action Shooters. When people come here and get their wristband, they can enjoy everything that’s going on out there, as well. That’s the whole point is to have residents of the area know more about what’s here for them.
Local nonprofit clubs and organizations were offered free booth space at the expo; among them was Cathy Williams of Vest Dixie’s K-9s. Williams is working toward providing protective vests for the K-9 units in Washington County.
“There’s been hundreds of police dogs that have been killed across the country already,” Williams said. “We’re just trying to make sure that doesn’t happen to our dogs of Washington County.”
Andersen estimated that 2,500 to 3,000 people attended the expo Friday.
“We had a great day yesterday … it was very busy Friday,” Andersen said. “We’re thrilled with our first year here.”
The event will run through 8 p.m. Saturday, and all who attend will be eligible for prizes and giveaways while the show continues.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
Paddleboard booth at the Ultimate Outdoor Expo, St. George, Utah, Jan. 3, 2015 | Photo by Brett Brostrom, St. George News
Golf booth at at the Ultimate Outdoor Expo, St. George, Utah, Jan. 3, 2015 | Photo by Brett Brostrom, St. George News
Crowds watch the DockDogs at the Ultimate Outdoor Expo, St. George, Utah, Jan. 3, 2015 | Photo by Brett Brostrom, St. George News
Staging area for the DockDogs at the Ultimate Outdoor Expo, St. George, Utah, Jan. 3, 2015 | Photo by Brett Brostrom, St. George News
RV area at the Ultimate Outdoor Expo, St. George, Utah, Jan. 3, 2015 | Photo by Brett Brostrom, St. George News
Resources
- For additional information, visit The Ultimate Outdoor Expo’s website
- Visit Vest Dixie’s K-9s’ Facebook page to learn more about the cause
Related posts
- Vested interest in police dogs; meet Washington County’s K-9 agents
- TGIF weekend event guide
- Total outdoor immersion at Ultimate Outdoor Expo
- Outdoor recreation adds economic muscle to Southern Utah
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.