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FISHING FANS GET SPECIAL TREAT AT 2000 CLASSIC®
BASS Masters Classic Outdoor Show Has It All
CHICAGO, Ill. - There is an undeniable air of excitement in the Windy City
and surrounding area these days that stems from anticipation of next
month's 30th anniversary BASS Masters Classic® on Lake Michigan its
surrounding rivers.
Soon, forty-six of America's best anglers will invade the Chicago-area
waters in search of fame and fortune. At stake is a $100,000 top prize and
the most important title in competitive fishing. And it all takes place
under the sport's brightest spotlight.
Much of the electricity among Illinois bass enthusiasts is reserved for an
event that will occur off of the water - a massive consumer show combining
the highly popular Classic Outdoor Show with the American Sportfishing
Association's (ASA) annual ICAST 2000 trade show. The result is the
country's largest fishing exhibition and a rare chance for consumers to get
a peak at the new products that will be on the market in 2001.
Hundreds of exhibitors, with every kind of tackle, boating product, and
accessory imaginable, will be on hand at McCormick Place to display their
products both to industry buyers and fishing enthusiasts from across
America. Their displays will require a whopping 350,000 square feet of
space in spacious McCormick Place to display the latest innovations in both
freshwater and saltwater fishing products and services.
In the show's New Product Store, anglers can examine hundreds of new
products in one location. There will also be special appearances by fishing
celebrities and product demonstrations at the "Hawg Trough" bass tank
throughout the show.
The combined show has energized both fishing fans and industry leaders alike.
"We're excited about what this joint trade and consumer show will mean to
the fishing fan and the entire sportfishing community," said Denise Welch,
Director of the BASS Masters Classic Outdoor Show. "We expect to have more
than 150,000 people come through our doors during the show, which will be
open for five days this year."
"The show will also be open on Sunday for the second year. We expect a good
crowd because many of the pros will be staying around to work their
sponsors' booths at the Outdoor Show on Sunday."
"The combination of B.A.S.S. and the ASA will bring new energy and synergy
to the sportfishing industry. Having the combined event in a major media
market such as Chicago will expose our great sport to many new potential
anglers and boaters. This combined event will broaden the base of the
sportfishing industry and uniquely combine the trade and consumer aspects
of sportfishing," said Mike Hayden, President and CEO of ASA.
"If you're a fishing fan, this is the one Classic show you cannot afford to
miss," added Classic contender Shaw Grigsby of Florida. "I cannot
imagine
the sheer amount of fishing and boating stuff under one roof. It's a rare
opportunity for fishermen to get the first look at all of the new tackle
products that won't even get to the market until the first of next year."
The Classic Outdoor Show is free to the public. Show hours: Thursday, July
20: noon to 8:30 p.m.; Friday, July 21: noon to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, July
22: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, July 23: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Other activities during the 2000 Classic Week in Chicago:
On Wednesday, Jackson Lake Park will be the site of the Kids Klassic
contest (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and a Meet the Pros Autograph session (8 a.m.
to 11 p.m.).
Soldier Field will host the three daily weigh-ins, which will include the
award-winning laser-light show that will crown the new Classic champion on
Saturday. Also, the annual BASSMASTER CastingKids national finals,
sponsored by Chevy Trucks and Zebco, will be held in Soldier Field on
Friday.
Country music star Trisha Yearwood will perform a free concert immediately
after the 2000 Classic champion is crowned.
Sponsors of the 2000 BASS Masters Classic include: Ranger® Boats,
RangerTrail® Trailers, Mercury® Outboard, Chevy Trucks, ACDelco® Batteries,
Worldwaters.com, Humminbird® Electronics, Zercom® Marine, Pennzoil® Marine,
Flowmaster® Exhaust Systems, First USA Visa Card, MotorGuide® Trolling
Motors, Gore-Tex® Outerwear, GMAC Insurance, the state of Illinois and the
city of Chicago.
For more information contact:
George McNeilly, Director of Communications (334) 272-9530
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