Show Features
Every year we bring unique features, entertainment and education to our shows as an added value to you! Check out the lineup below and click the links for more details on each!
Safari North
Walk-thru animal exhibit
Safari North will have a variety of animals from around the world at the show including kangaroos, lemurs, exotic birds and more. Come and walk thru the exhibit and travel around this world of animals!
Dexter the dog who learned to walk like a human!
Dexter The Dog is a 7-year-old Brittnay Spaniel from Ouray Colorado. He taught himself to walk on his own two back legs after losing a leg and weakening another in an accident when he was a puppy.
Dexter is a social media sensation who has inspired many to overcome disabilities. He has been featured on the CBS evening news with On the Road with Steve Hartman. His story has aired on news stories all over Europe, including the BBC channel.
Join Dexter and his owner Kentee Pasak at the show and learn about the journey of Dexter’s life. Discover the challenges he has faced and how they have adapted to his injury and recovery together. Witness how this tragic event inspires people across the world by seeing how Dexter kept going one step at a time.
Stick around after each presentation for a meet & greet with Dexter and Kentee!
Presentation times
Taking place in Upper Seminar Room 1
Thursday 5 pm
Friday 11:30 am | 5 pm
Saturday 11 am | 5 pm
Sunday 12 pm
Mad Dog & Merrill
TV Hosts of Midwest Grillin’ Secrets
Promoting the fine art of barbeque through mesmerizing performances self-proclaimed “grillologists” Mad Dog and Merrill awaken the taste buds of people where ever they go. Having grilled together for over 35 years Mad Dog & Merrill feel they have a partnership made in barbeque heaven. They are expert cooks with exceptional culinary skills who offer valuable tips to the outdoor Griller. These two outdoor cooking gurus present excitement amusement and fantastic mouth-watering recipes all keeping with their motto: “There’s nothing you can’t cook on a grill!” Come and watch the “grillologists” perform daily as they entertain you with grilling tips & techniques.
Presentation times
Taking place in Upper Seminar Room 2
Thursday 4 pm | 7 pm
Friday 12 pm | 2 pm | 4:30 pm | 6:30 pm
Saturday 10:30 am | 1:30 pm | 4:30 pm | 6:30 pm
Sunday 11 am | 1 pm

Fishing Tips From the Pros – Ted Takasaki
A Fishing Hall of Fame Legendary Angler, Ted is one of the top competitors on the National Walleye Tour. Ted won the prestigious Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) Classic Championship in 1998 and the 1995 PWT Top Gun Angler Award. In 2002, he smashed the all time, one day PWT tournament record, which still stands today, with limit of 5 walleyes that weighed 53.2 pounds! His topics include Jigging Secrets of the Pros and The Incredible Bottom Bouncer!
Presentation Times
Thursday 5:30 pm
Friday 3 pm
Saturday 11:30 am & 4:30 pm
Friday 11 am & 5:30 pm
Saturday 2 pm
Sunday 11:30 am
Wheezy Outdoors
Captain Justin Wiese is one of the few fully licensed Captains and Hunting Guides in the area operating fulltime and year-round. From a very young age it became evident he had a boundless love for the woods and waters, especially that of Northern Minnesota, and pursuing a career in any other field was just not an option for him.
Alice, who is also a licensed Hunting Guide, was born and raised in Alaska and brought up with the same level of affection and dedication for the outdoors.
With over 30 years combined experience, their knowledge, involvement, and passion for what they do far surpass all others. Their goal is to share that same passion with others. Together they started Wheezy Outdoors, where you are sure to not only get ultimate action, but a closer connection with nature as well.
Presentation Schedule
Thursday 4:30 pm
Friday 12 pm & 6:30 pm
Saturday 1 pm & 6:30 pm
Friday 4 pm
Saturday 10:30 am & 3 pm
Sunday 10:30 am
Whitetail Properties
Bob Stalberger is a fellow landowner and a nationally recognized Land Specialist with Whitetail Properties Real Estate and Ranch and Farm Auctions. Bob has been in the land business for over a decade and specializes in selling hunting land, farmland, and rural estates. He has helped over 700 buyer and sellers in Southeast MN. He has earned the Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) designation from Realtors Land Institute (RLI) as well as earned the Land Steward 1 & 2 from National Deer Association (NDA). Bob has published in Terra Firma magazine and has presented many times at the MN Deer & Turkey Classic. His seminar will help educate sellers on ways to maximize value and grow equity in their property as well as to teach buyers what to look for when trying to purchase land, including but not limited to 1031 tax deferred exchanges, property splits, county regulations, survey work, and government programs.
Whitetail Properties Real Estate LLC is not your average real estate company. The company was created for the sole purpose of bringing together buyers and sellers of land and country homes. The Whitetail Properties team covers 40 state and is made up of the finest land managers and market analysts in the rural real estate industry. They are just like you. They love to hunt. They love the land. They understand that buying or selling a piece of land is most likely one of the largest financial transactions you will make in your life.
Presentation Schedule
Thursday 6:30 pm
Friday 2 pm
Saturday 5:30 pm
Sunday 1:30 pm
Parakeet Landing
Back by popular demand is the Colorful Parakeet Landing. Make your way upstairs to the ballroom where you will find the Parakeet Landing. Kids of all ages will enjoy these friendly, colorful birds as they fly around their enclosure landing on arms, hands, shoulders and heads. The young ones are especially amazed as they can see the birds up close. You will want to have a camera ready to capture the looks on their faces as the parakeets elicit wide smiles and oohs and aahs of amazement.
Kids Fishing Clinic
New this year!! Come and attend a one on one fishing clinic with Capt Jarrid Houston, professional fishing guide, TV and print media contributor.
Every angler 12 and under who attends a session will leave with a ticket that is good for a free round of fishing at the Rainbow Trout Pond along with a certificate and “goodies”.
You won’t want to miss this fun seminar!
Kids Fishing Clinic Schedule
Note, each clinic lasts approximately 15-20 minutes
- Friday 1 pm & 5 pm
- Saturday 12:30 pm & 4 pm
- Sunday 12:30 pm
Bio
Capt. Jarrid Houston is USCG, First Aid/CPR Certified and knows the ins and outs of handling the Great Lakes Duluth/Superior and the many surrounding waters. Jarrid has a proven track record of successful outings through hard work and time on the water. Growing up in the St. Croix River Valley region of Stillwater, MN and Osceola, WI, Jarrid has a love and respect for river fishing. The St. Louis River is Jarrid’s strong suit. As well as summer Walleye fishing and ice fishing on Lake Superior.
Live Trout Pond
It’s Fun, it’s Exciting, it’s Challenging! The Trout Tank fishing experience has become a family tradition with many fishermen and families! We constantly have people telling us that their kids are experiencing the same excitement that they used to have at the Annual La Crosse Boat, Sports, Travel, RV and Hunting Show Extravaganza. Drop a line, reel in some fun and create some memories!

FREE Measuring & Scoring of Mounts
Bring in your trophy racks for FREE Measuring and Scoring by Boone & Crocket / Pope & Young. While you are at the booth, ask the professionals what to look for on a rack and the various technicalities involved in evaluating each rack brought in.
FREE Face Painting
Cherri Merri Muffin
Cheri Merri Muffin is regionally known as the best, freehand, face painter around!
She will be providing free face painting and balloon animals for all kids throughout the day!
Whether you choose to participate or watch, it’s sure to bring a smile to everyone’s faces!
