| USA. New attractions at Cleveland Mid-America Boat Show |
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| Friday, 06 January 2006 | |
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Exhibition news: Though the hundreds of new power and sailboats, not to mention the latest wave of marine products, are what draw most people to the Cleveland Mid-America Boat Show, it’s the fun feature attractions that make the event fun for the entire family. Several new additions, plus many old favorites, are set for the January 13-22 event at the I-X Center in Cleveland. Cleveland Model Boat Club Dozens of highly detailed model replicas of submarines, PT boats, U.S. Coast Guard cutters, sailboats, “go fast” boats and more will all be on display and performing in the water at BOATOhio Bay, courtesy of the Cleveland Model Boat Club. With steady hands and attention to details, members of the Cleveland Model Boat Club have diverse boating tastes. “Our group has four areas of operation, fast electrics, gas and nitro powerboats, scale boats, and sail,” says Bob Gesking, the club’s scale director. “While some of our members specialize in a particular area, most like to work with multiple types of boats which range in size from 14-inches to over 5-feet long.” Averaging speeds of between 40 and 70 mph, the model powerboats and fast electrics are fueled by gasoline and battery respectively. These types of boats duplicate full size hydroplanes, catamarans, and deep vee race boats. Sailboats, which are generally classed by hull length and sail area, have radio controlled sails and rudders and are among the largest of the model boats. Scale boats are built to match the actual blue prints, and every intricate detail, of their larger counterparts. “What’s really fun is that the scale boats tend to have a variety of operating features, including horns, lights, fire pumps, rotating radars, and diving capability. The creativity of our members truly amazes me and is part of what makes the club so exciting,” exclaimed Gesking. Capt’n Willie the Great Lakes pirate Providing a unique blend of Great Lakes knowledge, nautical nonsense and musical interaction, Willie’s mission is to present kids 10 and under with an interactive and fun education about the Great Lakes and boating safety. A featured performer at the Monster Mash Dance at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo during the recent Boo at the Zoo, young landlubbers are invited to take the pirate oath and join Capt’n Willie’s crew during daily performances on the new main stage. Boating maina: The audience Q&A Game Also set for the main stage is the new interactive daily quiz show, Boating Mania: The Audience Q&A Game. Fans of "Family Feud" are familiar with the face-off buzzer where single players compete for the chance to family guessing rights. In this game, there is no family; only two players competing to answer boating and fishing questions correctly and quickly for great prizes. Hawk Tank After a five year absence, the popular Hawg Tank is returning to the boat show. A 10' tall, 4,000-gallon aquarium stocked with bass (aka hawgs), experienced fishing pros will be conducting seminars from atop the tank. The daily demonstrations of various types of sport fishing equipment will offer an up-close look at how fish respond to a variety of lures and casting techniques. Allstate Safety Weekends Not only will all children 12 and under receive free admission to the boat show, they will also receive free lifejackets, while supplies last, during the Allstate Safety Weekends. “Last year,” said show manager Norm Schultz, “Allstate quickly gave away over 300 lifejackets. This year, January 14, 15, 21, and 22, they’ll be giving away roughly the same number so families interested in the lifejackets should get to the show early.” Twiggy the water-skiing squirrel The boat show would not be the same without fan favorite Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel. A pint-size superstar known throughout the world, Twiggy will cruise around a 25-foot circular heated pool on a miniature pair of custom-made water skis, towed behind her personal radio-controlled Ski Nautique powerboat. Featured on dozens of TV shows and movies, Twiggy performs several times daily 1-Day Bass college new to boat show Thanks to the success of last year’s Walleye & Steelhead College, the Cleveland Mid-America Boat Show and J.M.S. Outdoors are joining forces to present the 1st annual Bass College. This 1-day only event will take place Saturday, January 14 at the I-X Center during the boat show. Kicking off at 8am with coffee and donuts and running until 5pm, fishing professionals Bryan Coates, Joe Balog, and John Shirhal will cover topics such as: Lake Erie Smallmouth – Tools of the Trade Pitching and Flipping for Bass Crankbaits and Spinnerbaits Smallmouth Bass – Tubes and Drop Shot Lake Erie – Alternate Tactics for Smallmouth Garmin Electronics – Use of the Street Pilot, Fishfinders & GPS Units. Background on the Bass College “professors:” Bryan Coates, the winner of this year’s EverStart Northeastern, the Midwest Pro Bass Series, and two first place titles in the Salmoides Circuit, has won over $75,000 in 2005. Joe Balog is the 2004 Michigan BFL Champion, the 2002 Michigan BFL Super Tournament Champion, the 2001 EverStart National Champion, and a former Ohio Bass Federation Regional Champion. John Shirhal has spent 30 years fishing local, regional, state, and national bass tournaments including the Pro Division of the FLW and the EverStart Bass Series. The daylong Bass College is $99 per person and includes all refreshments, lunch, all printed materials, boat show admission, and top quality fishing tackle and books that alone are worth more than $80 (including “The Complete Guide to Bass Tournament Fishing”). Enter to win big prizes at Treasure Island Starting a boat is pretty uneventful for most boaters. But at the Cleveland Mid-America Boat Show, starting a boat for one lucky person means “walking away” with a complete boat, motor, and trailer package valued at over $23,000. The giveaway is part of Treasure Island, a special promotion sponsored by Marc’s that will run throughout the boat show. Here’s how Treasure Island Works: 1. Fill out an entry form at the special Treasure Island pavilion at the I-X Center (locate Treasure Island on the show map located in the show program) 2. At the end of the 10-day boat show, dozens of winners will be drawn from a hopper containing all entries. 3. Winners, with the exception of participants in the boat giveaway, will be notified by mail. Entrants chosen to participate in the boat giveaway on Sunday, January 22 will receive a phone call no later than Saturday, January 21. Prizes will include water-ski packages, inflatable water toys, fishing equipment, seasonal and transient dockage, dinner and show tickets to the Cleveland Play House, boat lettering, fuel, ship’s store and service/repair gift certificates, boat rentals, and a whole lot more. The biggest prize is the complete Glastron boat, Mercury Marine motor and EZ Loader trailer package from Ravenna Marine valued at over $23,000. Part of a larger month long promotion on Cleveland’s WMJI (Majic 105.7 FM), a total of 150 people will have an opportunity to win the boat package. On Sunday, January 22 all finalists will meet in the show’s lobby for the giveaway. Mark Gintert, owner of Ravenna Marine, will begin by dropping 149 “dummy” keys into a fishbowl. Once finished, he’ll then drop the “real” key into the bowl before thoroughly mixing its contents. Each of the 150 contestants will reach into the fish bowl to select their key. One by one, they’ll insert their key into the boat’s ignition, hoping it’s the one that starts the boat. If it is, the boats horn will sound and the lucky winner will “sail away” in the 2006 Glastron SX 170 Bowrider powered by a 90hp Mercury Marine OptiMax 2-stroke outboard engine. Forums “Meet” up with other boaters and anglers to discuss your favorite pastime. Question experts, lend a helping “hand” to others, make new friends and catch up with old acquaintances. You’ll discover forums covering power boating, sailing, marine electronics, boat care and repair, destinations, rivers and inland lakes, and more. Plus award-winning professional angler Jim Stedke moderates the popular “Ask the Expert: Angler’s Alley” forum. Ask the Expert: Angler’s Alley Other attractions Besides all of the features listed above, show goers will be pleased with the return of many old favorites such as the Kid’s Fishing Village, the Sportfishin’ Simulator, Antique Boats, Bubby’s Water Ski Show, live music on the Put-in-Bay stage featuring Alex Bevan, the Kid’s Fishing Pond, and much, much more. |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 06 January 2006 ) |
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