SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Bass Pro Shops CEO Johnny Morris is celebrating the company’s 50th anniversary in Springfield through Sunday by bringing back the World Fishing Fair for the first time since 1988.
Morris invited several high-profile friends and celebrities to speak/perform at the event and pledged to donate 50% of all fair admission proceeds to conservation efforts.
“One of the things I’ve always admired and appreciated about Johnny is how humble he is and how he continually wants to make fishing better,” Bassmaster Legend Jimmy Houston told The Heartlander. “He genuinely is the greatest conservationist in the history of America, even more than Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt established the National Park system but he did that with government money.”
The event features several unique fishing presentations that showcase conservation, fishing, boating and the outdoors. Over 200 exhibits and super savings are at customers’ fingertips from the minute they arrive inside.
The world’s top fishing pros and legends are giving full seminars featuring live tanks and fish with different bait and jig exercises. Some of today’s greatest minds in conservation are joining the festivities to share their perspective on how the public can help to better preserve American wildlife.
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet their favorite outdoorsmen, including Bassmaster legends Bill Dance, Roland Martin, Houston and many other professional fishermen from across the world. The likes of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Larry the Cable Guy and other celebrities are also featured in different portions of the event.
JQH Arena is playing host to many country acts including Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Dierks Bentley, Chris Janson and Hank Williams Jr. throughout the evenings of the World Fishing Festival. Half of the concert proceeds also will go toward conservation.
Anglers and outdoorsmen can expect all of the newest fishing tackle and boat equipment available at reduced pricing. Factory representatives and technicians are on hand to provide personal instruction on their products from over 150 manufacturers. Additionally, 500,000 square feet of tackle and equipment has been lined up under closeout and overstock tents.
Furthermore, visitors will be able to view new lineups of the world’s most prestigious fishing boats and all-terrain vehicles from Ranger, Nitro, TRACKER and more.
The new American Fly Fishing and Archery Hall of Fame Museums will be open to the public for viewing, with the American Fly Fishing Museum having opened for the first time ever on Thursday. All other Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Museums will be operating as well during the World Fishing Fair.
A kids zone featuring several family-friendly attractions and rides is located across the street from the Bass Pro headquarters on the west side of South Campbell Avenue next to bus shuttle services for the event.
The event began on Wednesday and will wrap up on Sunday. Those interested in more information about admission, parking and more can visit the Bass Pro World Fishing Fair website.
