Published: September 17, 2009 11:24 pm      

Meridian Outdoor Extravaganza

The Lauderdale County Agricultural Center will host the an outdoor show this Friday from 5 to 9 p m, Saturday 9 to 9 and Sunday afternoon from 1 to 6 p m. This show will have something for everyone including many children’s activities. A special guest will appear at the show to help with the John O’Neil Johnson Kids Casting Contest.

Susan Gregory, of Kiln, will accompany Mike Giles during the casting contest and offer tips, and explain various techniques to young anglers. Gregory is an accomplished angler who fishes on the Women’s Bassmaster Tour, as well as on a professional Crappie team tournament trail sponsored by Bass Pro Shops.

The annual casting contest hosted by Giles will have prizes that include rod and reel combos for both the children’s and youth divisions. Each participant will have two shots at 3 stations to flip, pitch and cast for prizes. The top score at each station will be totaled and used as their overall score. Contest hours will be from 10 a m to 3 p m on Saturday. In case of ties a cast off will be held immediately following the conclusion of the contest.

In addition to the casting contest for kids, John O’Neil Johnson Toyota will also award a Remington 770 rifle and a tree stand to two fortunate people. Those prizes will be awarded by drawing at the show. Other door prizes will be awarded throughout the show hours by various vendors as well.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife will have their laser shooting games on hand once again for the young and old alike. The laser shooting game is a big hit anywhere it goes and is sure to be a crowd pleaser this year as well.

Another crowd favorite on hand this year will be a rock climbing wall that will test the skills of both young and old alike.

The Queen City bowhunters will also sponsor an archery contest with prizes to be awarded as well. The contest will run from 9 a m to 1 p m on Saturday. Brian Stokes and other members will be on hand to give valuable instructions and demonstrations to aspiring archers and hunters as well.

On Sunday afternoon master craftsman and turkey call maker Paul Meek, will be on hand for a turkey calling contest, as well as hands on instructions for children and adults alike. Meek will also have a booth and offer custom made turkey calls as well. If you can name it Meek has probably made a call like it. He’s made calls from everything from wood, to plastic pipes to rocks and sticks! And they sound good and will call turkeys as well. I can personally attest to the proficiency of the calls as they have been used in calling up several wise old gobblers of my own.

A host of other vendors will be on hand displaying their wares as well with a wide variety of outdoor products and all terrain vehicles on display as well. In addition to the many activities that will be held on site there will also be concessions on hand.

If you’re looking for new products, or can’t miss deals on ATV’s and outdoor equipment then be sure to make it to the Meridian Outdoor Expo this weekend.



Contact Mike Giles at 601-917-3898

or e-mail him at Giles1958@bellsouth.net