Lehigh Valley Hunting & Fishing Extravaganza is a family affair

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

When Bob Danenhower talks about the upcoming Lehigh Valley Hunting & Fishing Extravaganza, he can't help but be excited. Last year, the event had the largest turnout in its history, and there are some great, new attractions planned for this year that will appeal to young and old alike.

"It should be a pretty awesome year," said Danenhower, an Orefield resident who presents the show with Rick Weaknecht of Weaknecht Archery in Kutztown.

Now entering its sixth year, the LVHFE is a three-day, Kempton Fairgrounds-based festival that features plenty of hands-on activities and interactive displays designed to encourage and enhance interest in the outdoors. The primary focus of the event, which takes place Aug. 26-28, always has been getting youth involved in sports such as hunting, fishing and archery.

"This has everything a regular sports show has -- new products, sales of outdoor gear, outfitters, manufacturers with their new products and a heck of a lot more -- even an outdoor Hunting & Fishing flea market," Danenhower said. "It's focused on both kids and adults. It really is a family affair."

Back for 2011 are the free fishing area, where kids can angle for trout, as well as Pheasant Valley Farm Shooting Preserve's bird dog training programs, which are popular with all ages. In addition, there are opportunities to try muzzleloader shooting, 3-D archery, sporting clays and even laser video shooting. Nearly 100 different vendors, conservation and outdoorsmen's groups will be on hand, approximately the same number as in 2010.

"It's an affordable deal for the average family," Danenhower said. "Even the vendors find it inexpensive to come out and sell their wares at our show. A family can come out and have one heck of a good day without putting a large dent in their pocketbook."

One of the highlights this year is the Pa. Outdoor Skills Competition in which participants can showcase their casting, archery and shooting proficiency skills. The competition is open to ages 16 and older and doesn't require an all-day commitment, as the event's former Mr. and Mrs. Lehigh Valley Outdoorsman Competitions did.

"It has more to do with marksmanship skills than anything," Danenhower said. "People can do it at their leisure. Before, with the Mr. Lehigh Valley, you were locked in for the whole day. You were up at 9 in the morning and you weren't done competing until 4 in the afternoon."

Another new feature for 2011 is the Glock Booth, where festival guests can fire 10 rounds while trying three new Glock Gen4 pistols at an outdoor firing range. A $3 donation is requested to help organizers cover the cost of the ammunition.

Other activities and attractions for 2011 include the Top Dog Bird Dog Challenge, antler scoring sessions by the Greater Lehigh Valley Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association and a primitive encampment, which will highlight what life was like on the frontier more than 200 years ago. On Aug. 27, visitors also may want to check out the Outdoorsmen's Flea Market, one of the show elements that Danenhower is most excited about.

"We have a lot of people sign up for that and we're taking people right up through the day of the event," Danenhower said. "I always like rummaging around the treasures that they bring out. You never know what you're going to find."

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/08/lehigh_valley_hunting_fishing.html