Anybody going?

Press release:

Local conservation groups to benefit from Bass Pro Shops opening.

What:
Special "Evening for Conservation" and ribbon-cutting ceremony at Bass Pro Shops Outpost in Tallahassee, Fla.


Who:
Officials scheduled to attend include Bass Pro Shops Founder Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops Director of Conservation Martin Mac Donald, City of Tallahassee Mayor John R. Marks, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Executive Director Nick Wiley, Bass Pro Shops Store Manager Jeff Shaw, and numerous officials and dignitaries. In addition, Florida Governor Rick Scott has been invited to attend.


Where:
Bass Pro Shops Outpost, 4059 Lagniappe Way, located in the Fallschase development.


When:
Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013


Time:
Ribbon cutting ceremony will be 6-6:30 p.m.


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --An all-star cast that reads like a 'who's who' in the world of sports, entertainment and the great outdoors joins together to help Bass Pro Shops celebrate a spectacular "Evening for Conservation," Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 6 p.m. at the new Bass Pro Shops Outpost.


Celebrities scheduled to appear and sign autographs that night include Bass Pro Shops #14 Sprint Cup Series NASCARŪ driver, Tony Stewart; former Atlanta Braves first baseman and host of "Hardcore Hunting TV," Ryan Klesko; host of "George Poveromo's World of Saltwater Fishing" television show on NBC Sports, George Poveromo; host of "Bass 2 Billfish with Peter Miller" on NBC Sports and three-time "World Sailfish Championship" champion Peter Miller; "Larysa Unleashed" television show on NBC Sports, Larysa Switlyk; and newly-crowned 2014 Miss Florida USA, Brittany Oldehoff.


John Paul Morris, RedHead Pro Hunting Team member, also will be available and legendary angler and television host Jimmy Houston, of "Jimmy Houston Outdoors" will serve as emcee for the event.


Musical entertainment for the evening will be provided by the 2013 Georgia Band of the Year "Highway 55." A special color guard presentation will be made by the National Guard Armory.


Located at 4059 Lagniappe Way in the Fallschase retail development, the 70,000 square-foot store will officially open its doors for a preview celebration during the fundraising event and ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, Sept. 4 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.


For every dollar spent during the "Evening for Conservation" 50 cents will be donated to the "Wildlife Foundation Florida" in support of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Their initiatives and programs include fish and wildlife resources; teaching kids outdoor skills; getting kids involved in the outdoors; and programs such as "TrophyCatch."


Local conservation groups and agencies on hand Wednesday evening will include the National Wild Turkey Federation, National Rifle Association, Quality Deer Management Association, Ducks Unlimited, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They will have booths and displays set up to create awareness about their ongoing efforts and local projects.


Bass Pro Shops Founder Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops Director of Conservation Martin Mac Donald, City of Tallahassee Mayor John R. Marks, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Executive Director Nick Wiley, and Director of Freshwater Fisheries and Management Tom Champeau are among those scheduled to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony.


For the racing enthusiasts, the Bass Pro Shops #14 SprintŪ Cup Series will be on display throughout the grand opening. Other special exhibits that evening include the "King of Bucks" mobile exhibit featuring 25 world-record white-tailed deer mounts.


The Grand Opening Celebration begins Thursday, Nov. 5 and continues through Sunday, Nov, 8. The store will open at 8 a.m. Thursday and at 9 a.m. (normal opening hours) Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. Sunday. The celebration includes special exhibits, store- wide savings on a huge assortment of products, and fantastic giveaways. Experts on fishing, hunting, boating and more will be available to talk with customers. In addition, factory representatives from the industry's top manufacturers will be on hand to answer new product questions.


Bass Pro Shops will host more than 116 million people visiting their 77 stores and Tracker Marine Centers across America and Canada this year. The average customer stays two and a half hours and drives an average distance of 50 plus miles. Bass Pro Shops was recently named by Advertising Age magazine as one of the Top 10 Hottest Brands in America along with name brands such as Old Spice, M&M's, iPad and Droid. The company also has been named by J.D. Powers & Associates as one of the top eight retailers in America for customer service excellence.


Widely recognized for their efforts in conservation and outdoor education, Bass Pro Shops has received more conservation awards than any other outdoors retailer. Also, the store will offer free "Outdoor Skills Workshops" for adults, kids and families.


Bass Pro Shops' award-winning outdoor stores are known for combining retail with entertainment, conservation and outdoor education. More than just a fishing and hunting store, Bass Pro Shops stores offer equipment and clothing for hiking, backpacking, wildlife viewing, camping, outdoor cooking and more. A gift and nature center also serves up a wide variety of outdoor-related items from lamps and dishes to bird feeders and furniture. Their expansive boat showroom features Tracker, Nitro, SunTracker, Tahoe, Grizzly and Mako boats built by Tracker Marine Group, the world's largest manufacturer of fishing boats. - See more at: http://www.thefishingwire.com/story/....o8cp3X10.dpuf