photo by Marcus Frazier

First Natchez Radio Group sales associate Kelly Thompson and Fetch-n-Fish Promotions’ Jason Reynolds stand next to a 4,000 gallon fish tank as they discuss the weekends events Thursday afternoon at the Nachez Convention Center. Today through Sunday the Second Annual Great Southern Outdoors expo will be underway at the convention center.

Outdoor Expo offers fun for whole family

By Mary Hood (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Friday, August 29, 2008

NATCHEZ — Though the tropical weather may cause some unfortunate evacuations for those in surrounding states, it may make for a big crowd at the second annual Great Southern Outdoor Expo.

Rene Adams, with First Natchez Radio Group who is hosting the event, said it’s going to be a great opportunity for kids and provide a lot of entertainment.

“We have a lot of kids activities,” she said.

The multitude of activities begins with Jackie Bibby, the Texas Snake Man.

He’s listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for his fearlessness of snakes and during the event, will actually nuzzle himself in a sleeping bag with rattlesnakes.

But also, he’ll teach observers about snakes and have demonstrations.

“It’s a very hands-on, educational part of the event,” Adams said.

There will also be a fish tank. But not your ordinary fish tank. It’s actually an 18-wheeler full of water, which will house fish indigenous to the area.

Demonstrations with highly trained retriever dogs will ensue and also, fishing techniques will be shown.

For those who do not see fit to use fishing equipment to catch fish, there will be an educational demonstration on how to catch fish with your bare hands.

Electronic games will be present, too. A shooting game and a NASCAR simulation will be available.

“It’s like the real thing, it’s absolutely fabulous,” Adams said.

A golf simulator will be available to participants.

On Saturday night, for adults 18 and older, an event called Solid Gold Saturday night will take place at the Natchez Auditorium.

This involves a live broadcast from Mark Porter with 95 Country.

There will be several contests and games for the participants in the event that goes from 7 p.m. until midnight.

The expo, which is at the Natchez Convention Center, begins at 5 p.m. and lasts until 9 p.m. today. It continues from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and from noon until 6 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $6 except for children under 6, for which they are free.