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Outdoor Show Marks 15 Years of Success
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The Tinley Park High School Booster Club put together what is now known as one of the largest outdoor shows in the greater Chicagoland area.  It's the Tinley Park Fishing and Outdoor Show.

The show supports all of the student athletes at the Tinley Park High School.  With a show that draws literally thousands of visitors, the big shows are taking notice.   And what is also surprising so many big show promoters is that the Tinley Park Fishing Show now marks its fifteenth year.  That is a sign of success.

The hard work and dedication from the parents and the students is what puts a show like this together.  Their hard work brings the success that people enjoy and come back for year after year.  That goes for not only the exhibitors, but also the show visitors.

Also adding to the show's success is the support that the show gets from people like the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 134, Cubby Lures, Basa's Marine, Bass Pro Shops, Cardinal Fitness and more.

Saturday and Sunday, February 9 and 10, 2008, the 15th Annual Tinley Park Fishing and Outdoor Show will open its doors to literally thousands of show visitors who are always pleasantly surprised with that the show has to offer.

The show is filled with exhibitors taking up nearly 90,000 square feet of exhibitor space in the three full sized gyms, cafeteria, and halls.

Rich Komar, manager of the show said,   "We have a commitment to our exhibitors and visitors to give them the best show ever.  We also like to surprise them with something that we remember happening back in the old days and that's getting something for free."

Every year some of the show staff would walk around the show doing their various tasks to keep things running smooth.  But on occasion, some staff members would just walk up to a child and give him or her a free fishing hat.  Some others would just hand out a new lure or a package of hooks.  This is something that you won't see at some of the larger shows.   

"I really enjoy seeing the faces on the kids when we give them a free Cubby Mini Mite Hat.  And the moms or dads have the startled look when we hand them a lure for no reason other than to share the products that our sponsors donate to the show." Komar said.

Throughout both days prizes are awarded and that is a key issue for outdoor shows.  If the visitors are happy, the exhibitors are happy.  The Tinley Park Fishing Show has grown every year since it started in 1994 with fishing tackle exhibitors as well as Charter Captains from Lake Michigan in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.  Lake Erie charters are also represented.  Vacation resorts from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kentucky and Canada are found throughout the show.  Outdoor specialty items can also be seen, which are a real favorite.  Kids have a lot of things to do too!  The show has a kids casting competition and a treasure hunt.

Another draw for the show is the famous Tinley Parks Fishing Show Shore Lunch.  Every year this is such a success that all of the fish dinners are sold.  An assortment of other food and refreshment items is available for hungry show visitors.

For the anglers in the Audion, radio personality Steve Sarley will introduce a great line up of speakers for the new seminar line up scheduled for the 2008 show too!  In the Audion, there will be seminars on muskie fishing with Ron Mazur and Tom Ustaszewski.  Also speaking on the cooling lakes will be Don Dziedzina of the Illinois Outdoors TV Show.  Another fishing personality, Mike Norris will be speaking as well where he'll talk about catching monster smallmouth bass from local lakes.

One big draw for the show that is enjoyed by visitors young and old is the Main Stage live animal demonstrations.  This year again the Tinley Park Fishing Show will bring you Lisa Dziedzina doing a Dog Agility and Obedience Demonstration, Jaime McInerney and his Reptile Rampage and back by popular demand for the second year, Steve Silic of the Cook County Forest Preserve District with a Raptor Program,   All seminars and demonstrations are free to attend.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 134 is a major sponsor of the seminar stage and it is with their help that these great seminar speakers will be with us both days.  Some other great sponsors for the show include Cubby Lures, one of the shows sponsors since it first started fourteen years ago.   Plano and Bass Pro Shops have also jumped on board to help with this fundraising outdoor show.

On Saturday only, an official Boone and Crocket measurer will be at the Freddie Bear Sports booth in the main gym to measure deer mounts that may be eligible for this prestigious record book.

Visitors also have an opportunity to participate in the raffle for a brand new boat with trailer and outboard motor brought to us with the help of Basa's Marine in Bolingbrook.  Other great prizes in the raffle include a $350.00 custom-made fishing rod from Rod Craft Components and some vacation fishing trips.  Tickets will be on sale at the show for these prizes and many more.  Buy $10 in raffle tickets and get a free package of Cubby Mini Mites while the supplies last.

The Tinley Park Fishing and Outdoor Show will be Saturday and Sunday, February 9 and 10 from 9 AM to 5 PM.  Admission is $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, $2.00 for children 7 to 13, and kids 6 and under will get in free.  The show is held at the Tinley Park High School, 6111 W. 175th Street, just east of Ridgeland, in Tinley Park, Illinois.  Ample free parking is available.