The warm weather has declared open season on outdoor adventures.
Spring is a little ahead of usual schedule in the Prince George region, so people are unpacking the camping and fishing shelves to make room for skiing and skating storage. Hockey sticks away, ball gloves out.
The mood is bright for people pumping up the tires on the quad, dusting off the life jackets, and test-setting the tent in anticipation of backcountry fun. Before too much venturing out, though, you are invited to dive into the deep end of the outdoor recreation pool - splash into the river of new gear and ideas for fun in the local outdoors.
It is time for the annual Outdoor Adventure Show at CN Centre.
"There are speakers, workshops, games for the kids and more," said Norm Coyne, one of the lead organizers. "It features the latest and greatest in outdoor recreation, hunting, fishing, powersports, and adventure tourism."
If you feel like you're being followed around the CN Centre concourse, don't worry, it's probably just TV's Mantracker, Terry Grant, doing what he's famous for. Grant is the special guest of PG Motors for both days of the event, on-site in person on Saturday and Sunday.
There will also be special presentations by NR Motors and Great River Fishing Adventures plus a building full of booths, displays and business pop-ups bringing you the best information and shiniest toys available for the great outdoors.
There will be opportunities to win a sturgeon fishing trip, an African safari, a golf getaway, a new barbecue, a survival training class, and many other free gifts for lucky participants.
The younger outdoor enthusiasts have a chance at winning bikes in a scavenger hunt, panning for gold with Barkerville's historical stimulation staff, plus live readings from X-Tails author L.A. Fielding.
Admission is free. Doors are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
