Projected to draw 5-10k people at Tom Varn Park, 306 Darby Lane in Brooksville 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 20 and 21, the Central Florida Sportsman’s Expo is set to showcase a full of recreational equipment and activities. And as they enjoy a day of family fun and pursue their favorite sports and hobbies, guests will be marking a community milestone in Hernando history.
“You usually have to go to Tampa to see a show like this,” said Ron Auger, who is coordinating the expo with Gordon Wolf and David Humbles. “This is the first big sportsman’s expo in this area. And it will be the first of many.” Tammy Heon, Manager, Tourism Development of Florida’s Adventure Coast, Brooksville – Weeki Wachee at The Florida’s Adventure Coast Visitors Bureau, agrees.
“This expo is the first of its kind in this area. This is a wonderful opportunity to show off our assets in this area, and for residents to come out and enjoy themselves in the beautiful, spacious setting of Tom Varn Park,” said Heon.
The expo is set to feature 6 different marinas, a full classic car show Saturday featuring more than 100 automobiles on display, new boats, fishing gear, marine toys, RV’s, motorcycles, trucks, kayaks, golf carts, and 4 wheelers, exhibits & clinics, demonstrations, and more than 100 vendors.
“We will have all different types of sports represented, all the major brands, with demonstrations every day, every hour,” said Auger. “We’ll also have vendors offering crafts and other items for women and children, plus lots of food vendors. There will be something for the whole family.”
Event vendors include radio stations, health organizations, artisans, service businesses, the Greater Hernando Chamber of Commerce, marinas, automotive dealers, craftspeople, the Brooksville Fire Department, toy merchants, military recruiters, boat clubs, Hernando government offices, philanthropic agencies, schools, and businesses. And it’s all for an affordable price. “If you go to a show in Tampa, you might pay $50 per ticket and extra for parking,” said Auger. “At this expo, the admission is only $5 and parking is free.”
Auger says that both local vendors and sporting enthusiasts are excited about this one-of-a-kind local expo, as well as the City of Brooksville and Florida’s Adventure Coast tourism bureau.
Indeed, co-organizer David Humbles affirms that this event is a community milestone. “We have been active in the Art at the Park and the local fishing club shows, and other community events. We needed an event for the sportsman,” he said. “We also needed an event that would bring the community back together.”
To learn more about Central Florida Sportsman’s Expo,
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 20 and 21, visit their website or call 303-358-2593.
“I hope that the expo will draw people from out of town,” said Heon. “And that it will give local residents the chance to play tourist in our own backyard.”
