Outdoor Expo and Golf shows combine at Convention Center

A combo outdoors and golf show at the Spokane Convention Center next weekend is geared up for doing serious damage to the winter blues some people are suffering.

The new Spokane Great Outdoors & Bike Expo will be staged next door to the annual Spokane Golf & Travel Show on Saturday and Sunday.

People will be able to check out paddleboards and bicycles from six local bike shops and then cruise next door to try the latest putter design or head into a simulator to compete in a long-drive contest.

“It’s a good fit,” said Derrick Knowles, co-publisher of Out There Monthly and Outdoor Expo promoter. A lot of golfers also fish, hike, bike and go paddling.

“Combining the two shows already has proved to be successful in cities like Seattle, Vancouver and Calgary.”

The Wild World of Golf Demo Zone will capture a ton of interest at the Golf Show, while visitors to the Outdoor Expo will immediately be tempted to try slacklining.

An impressive lineup of hour-long presentations is scheduled through both days of the Outdoor Exp.

“It’s all about inspiring people to get involved with outdoors activities,” Knowles said. “Mid-February is a good time of year to get people stoked about the warmer, less-snowy months ahead. We have a lot of interactive activities lined up.”

Attendees will be able to discover outdoor recreation and travel opportunities in the Inland Northwest as exhibitors include guides, clubs and agencies such as Spokane and Spokane County parks and rec departments.

Demo a bike, check out the benefits of yoga for hikers and runners, get a primer on geocaching.

Bonus prizes for purchasing Outdoor Expo discounted admission tickets online in advance include bike tune-ups, paddleboard rentals, Silver Mountain Bike Park passes, Wild Walls climbing day passes, bike rentals, gift cards and discounts at North Idaho zip line tours.

Prizes also are being offered by Mountain Gear, Fleet Feet Sports, Wheel Sport, Crazy Creek, Bar Mitts, Tonik women’s cycling gear and other brands that will be given away every hour throughout the show.

The grand prize, a Cabela’s camping package, will be given away at the end of the show.

Free presentations are scheduled throughout the Outdoor Expo covering a wide range of topics. The keynote offering is set for Sunday by wildlife photographer Paul Bannick, who will present an extraordinary multimedia show based on his latest book, “Owl: A Year in the Lives of North American Owls.”

Following is the complete Outdoor Expo schedule of presentations:

Saturday

10:30 a.m.: “Outdoor Recreation Awareness in Bear, Cougar and Wolf Country,” with Annemarie Prince, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife wildlife biologist. Includes outside demonstration using inert bear spray canisters after the presentation.

11:30: “Spring Edible Mushrooms,” with writer Kelly Chadwick.

12:30 p.m.: “Nutrition for Hikers, Cyclists and Other Adventurers,” with nutritionist/adventurer Ammi Midstokke.

1:30: “Exploring Spokane County’s Conservation Futures Lands and Trails,” with Paul Knowles parks planner with Spokane County Parks, Recreation & Golf.

2:30: “Outdoor Emergency Preparedness,” with Kurt Perrigo, hiker/outdoorsman with REI.

3:30: “Outdoorsy People: Knowing What You and Your Outdoor Adventure Partners are Made Of,” with nutritionist/adventurer Ammi Midstokke.

4:30: “Lessons Learned from Teaching Kids about the Great Outdoors,” with writer/mom/outdoors woman Amy Silbernagel McCaffree.

Sunday

11:30 a.m.: “The Columbia River: A Paddler’s Recreational Paradise,” Author/photographer/adventurer John Roskelley, based on his book from paddling the entire 1,200 miles of the mighty river.

12:30 p.m.: “Spokane Area Fishing: Tips to Catch Fish on Any Lake,” with Justin Carlile, Cabela’s Post Falls store fishing manager.

1:30: “Owl: A Year in the Lives of North American Owls, “ with award-winning outdoor photographer/author Paul Bannick, a multi-media program based on his new book.

2:45: “Long Distance Hikes Close to Home,” with Holly Weiler, Washington Trails Association’s Eastern Washington coordinator.

3:30: “Top Inland NW Trail Runs,” with members of the Trail Maniacs running club.