Free admission for all Boys and Girls Scouts on Sunday, March 21

ALBANY, N.Y., March 17, 2010 – As the traditional welcome call of spring and summer in the Capital Region, thousands of outdoors enthusiasts will make their annual stop at the 24th annual Northeast Outdoors Show at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, NY, from March 19 - 21.

Sponsored by Stihl, Dodge Ram Trucks, Hudson River Tractor Company and Stewart’s Shops, the Northeast Outdoors Show is the only one of its kind from Rockland County to Canada devoted to a wide range of outdoor activities including fishing, hunting, kayaking, boating, camping, hiking and other outdoor family activities. More than 100 exhibits will showcase the latest outdoors products and services as the expo coincides with the annual kick-off to trout and turkey season.

Sunday, March 21 is “Scout Day” at the Northeast Outdoors Show. All members of the Boys & Girls Scouts of America will receive free admission to the show when accompanied by a paid adult. A scout merit badge sash must be displayed in order to qualify. Scouts in attendance will also be eligible for a special door prize.

EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS

Each year, the Northeast Outdoors Show features leading experts who provide visitors with content-rich educational seminars. Speakers will present on all three days of the expo.

The Northeast Outdoors Show will for the first time welcome L.L. Bean to the list of outdoor recreation experts for 2010. Representatives from the nationally-recognized outdoor clothing and recreation retailer will lead two different seminars over the three-day show. “Hiking, Backpacking, Outdoor Gadgets & Gear” will provide seminar attendees with an overview on navigational techniques, trailside first aid and the newest products to ensure a safe and enjoyable outdoor adventure. Experts from L.L. Bean will also offer instruction on one of the industry’s fastest growing trends during the seminar “Fishing from a Kayak.” Show patrons can visit L.L. Bean’s display for additional demonstrations on fly-tying and other fly-fishing tips.

One of the Capital Region’s leading chefs will offer seminars on Saturday and Sunday that focus on cooking for the great outdoors. Chef Ken Kehn, of Albany’s premier steakhouse Angelo’s 677 Prime, will offer sportsmen and women tips on how to make the most of their prize catch during a pair of interactive demonstrations over the weekend. The Angelo’s 677 Prime Wildlife Cooking Demonstrations will take place at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the base of the egg and are free with paid admission to the expo. Chef Kehn will serve up the following menus during the seminars: 11:00 a.m. – Pistachio and Cherry Stuffed Rabbit with Golden Lentils, Baby Heirloom Greens, Crispy Sunchoke and a Pomegranate & Roasted Shallot Vinaigrette 2:00 p.m. – Asparagus Studded Venison Loin with Chevre Polenta Cake, Barley & Mushroom Ragout, Roasted Baby Turnips and a Blackberry Maple Demi Glace

Local favorite John Vargo will return to host a seminar on some of the many outdoor recreational opportunities offered along the Hudson River. Vargo, who is the publisher and editor of Boating on the Hudson & Beyond magazine, is a lifelong fisherman who has honed his skills fishing the waters from New York Harbor to the dam in Troy.

On Sunday, Wilderness expert Marty Simon of the Wilderness Learning Center will outline the basics of surviving in the great outdoors during the informational seminar “Wilderness Survival & Safety”. With over 45 years of experience, Simon will demonstrate a number of important skills and measures to ensure preparation and safety before venturing into the wilderness, including fire-making techniques; finding and purifying water; using a map and compass; what to do if lost; and more. In honor of “Scout Day” on Sunday, Simon will also present a special seminar tailored exclusively for scouts at 1:30 p.m.

Representatives from Troy Bike Rescue will teach biking enthusiasts how to make their own repairs at an instructional seminar. The non-profit organization is committed to getting bikes back on the streets and building a bike-friendly community throughout the greater Capital Region.

Capital Region outdoors and hunting enthusiast Rob Marotta will offer tips on attracting game during the seminar “Proper Use of Deer Lures”. Marotta, former host of Ultimate Quest on The Sportsman Channel, has been an avid hunter for over 35 years and a licensed New York State guide for over 10 years.

Dog breeding and training experts from Stonewall Boarding & Game Preserve will advise hunters how to pick the best canine partner during the seminar “Selecting the Right Gun Dog”. Trainers from the upstate New York state-of-the-art dog boarding facility and pheasant hunting game preserve will offer demonstrations and best practices on dog handling and training.

Adirondack Mountain Club will lead show visitors on a new hiking venture during “Backpacking the Cranberry Lake 50 – A New North Country Trail”. The seminar will detail the first-hand experience of hikers as they tackle the new trail and illustrate the experience for those interested in exploring the North Country themselves.

Additional seminars will be offered throughout the weekend. All seminars are included in the cost of admission. For the complete seminar schedule with dates, times and locations, please visit the show’s web site at http://www.northeastoutdoorshow.com.

ATTRACTIONS

Show visitors will hit a bulls-eye at the three-day Vegas Shoot Bowhunters Plus Archery Tournament. With a number of shooting style divisions represented and categories for ages ranging from 13 and under to seniors, the archery tournament is surely a must-see attraction for experienced archers and casual spectators alike. Door prizes will be awarded and one lucky raffle winner will win the grand prize of a new bow. For more details on the entry fees, divisions, age categories, and to register for the tournament, call Bowhunters Plus at 518–843–5500. The tournament will take place in Meeting Room 6 at the Empire State Plaza.

The Northeast Outdoors Show will once again host renowned wildlife expert Andrew Simmons. A predator specialist, Simmons has studied and raised wild animals for nearly four decades and travels with large cats, cubs, carnivorous reptiles and birds of prey. Simmons will be on-hand at the Northeast Outdoors Show to entertain families, while providing an educated and accurate view of wildlife preservation.

On Sunday, Talons! A Bird of Prey Experience comes to the Capital Region from Earlville, NY. The group touts its sport as the oldest hunting sport, dating back 4,000 years. The group specializes in falcons, hawks, and owls and offers an up-close-and-personal view of these wild birds, in addition to education on birds of prey.

New York State 4-H Shooting Sports will host a laser-shot simulated shooting booth at this year’s show. The booth will feature a number of new games and shooting and hunting simulations, allowing event goers to test their skills and challenge one another for the best score. 4-H Shooting Sports volunteer instructors will be on hand to provide shooting tips and best practices. The cost is $1 and all participants will receive an “I Discovered 4-H Shooting Sports” ribbon each time they take aim.

The Capital District Fly Fishers (CDFF) will return to help promote the sport of fly fishing for all fish, in all waters – cold, warm, salt, and fresh. The CDFF specializes in teaching the art of casting and fly tying, and will offer tips to children (ages 6 and older) who are accompanied by an adult. Instructors will include other children from the Saratoga 4-H Youth Group.

There are still more reasons for families to “give a hoot” about the outdoors show. A turkey calling contest, sanctioned by the Wild Turkey Federation, will be held on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the best impersonators. Registration will take place at the Wild Turkey Federation booth. There will also be a fully stocked indoor trout pond. For a small fee, kids can try their hand at reeling in a catch in preparation for the “reel thing” during the warmer days of spring and summer.

SHOW INFORMATION

The 24th annual Northeast Outdoors Show will be held Friday, March 19 from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday, March 20 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; and Sunday, March 21 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 4 to 12. Children ages 3 and under are admitted free. Visitors can save $2 off adult admission by presenting their Stewart’s Milk Club card or Times Union SourceCard at the box office.

Show visitors will have the chance to enter to win an outdoors-lover’s dream: the Ultimate Camping Package highlighted by a two-night, three-day RV rental from Alpin Haus and a $100 gift certificate to Stewart’s Shops.

Parking is available at the Empire State Plaza Visitor’s Lot (formerly known as P3-North) for $5. All drivers and each adult passenger must have a valid photo ID. If the Visitor’s Lot is full, additional parking is available for no charge in the East Garage. The East Garage is joined to the Empire State Plaza via walkway.

For information on show attractions, entertainment and seminar times and locations, log on to www.northeastoutdoorshow.com.