Weekend events expose youths to outdoor fun

Tri-State Outdoor Festival

Are you looking for some inexpensive fun for the entire family this coming weekend? Consider attending the Tri-State Outdoor Festival being held in St. Charles, Minnesota—just a short two-hour drive southeast from the Twin Cities.

This second annual event is primarily for kids designed to introduce them to new outdoor activities. Daily skill events include many hunting and fishing related games, such as: air rifle range, BB gun/slingshot shoot, skeet simulation, trout pond, rock climbing wall, fly-fishing obstacle course, kids archery shoot, tomahawk throw, plus much more.

While the festival emphasizes youth outdoor activities, there will also be over 100 vendor booths on hand promoting a wide array of hunting and fishing related items. There's even a 3D pop-up archery course for adults, so don't leave home without your bow. For more information: www.tri-stateoutdoorfestival.com or on Facebook.

DATES: July 31, Aug. 1&Aug. 2 (Friday thru Sunday)

TIME: 2pm – 8pm (Friday)
10am – 8pm (Saturday)
noon – 6pm (Sunday)

LOCATION: Winona County Fairgrounds (St. Charles, Minnesota)
(Click HERE for a map/directions)

Trailblazer Adventure Expo

This year Game Fair will play host to the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation's youth learning program known as Trailblazer Adventure. This national program expects thousands of Twin Cities' area youth, along with their families, will participate in various outdoor skill challenges, such as: archery, shooting sports, game calling, and more. Participants must go from stage to stage experiencing hands-on what makes each outdoor activity so much fun. Upon conclusion of the challenge, all youths will be eligible for a prize drawing awarding outdoor equipment to several lucky kids.

Game Fair is celebrating its 28^th year in 2009 having grown into the largest, pre-hunting, family participation event in the country. With hundreds of exhibitors and dozens of seminar speakers, this event has become an annual tradition for many sporting families from throughout the Upper Midwest. For more information: www.GameFair.com or on Facebook.

DATES: Aug. 7, Aug. 8&Aug. 9 (Friday thru Sunday)
Aug. 14, Aug. 15 & Aug. 16 (Friday thru Sunday)

TIME: 9am – 6pm (Daily)