EcoWild Outdoor Expo set for May 10-12
Alabama’s natural wonders and diverse ecosystems will be the highlight of the first EcoWild Outdoor Expo, a three-day event to be held at the Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center in Mobile May 10-12.
“We want EcoWild to be a family-friendly show that reflects the character of the Gulf Coast,” says Stephen Potts, executive director of EcoWild and assistant publisher of Mobile Bay magazine. “We’ve planned an event that accomplishes that mission. We truly have something for everyone, no matter their activity level, from strolling our well-appointed art gallery to scaling a 26-foot-tall rock wall!”
Additional attractions include kids’ fishing; hunters’ education; axe throwing; raptor shows (Saturday only); dog demonstrations; STEM-based nature challenges; archery; honey harvesting; saltwater touch tanks; walk-through butterfly house; giant alligator slide; BB-gun range; confiscated wild game trailer; campground; and a Sunday-only appearance from the Auburn Eagle.
“Top Alabama organizations will be onsite all weekend,” Potts adds, “including our presenting sponsor, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, along with Outdoor Alabama, the University of South Alabama, Gulf Distributing, Army Bass Anglers, Bellingrath Gardens and Home, The Southern Outdoorsmen, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Quail Forever, Alabama Tourism Department, Montgomery Whitewater, Alabama Audubon, Alabama Black Belt Adventures, Exploreum Science Center, National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico, and the Boy Scouts of America Mobile Area Council.”
More information and tickets are available at ecowildexpo.com. Speaker topics include “The Wild Places of Alabama,” “Furbearer and Predator Management,” “Sharing the Gulf with Manatees,” and “Cultivating the Beauty of Native Alabama Trillium.”
The expo is the only show of its kind on the Gulf Coast, showcasing the area’s natural resources, the best in outdoor lifestyle gear, and conservation initiatives that keep outdoor activities accessible, now and in the future. Organizers expect to host 5,000 attendees.
Registration for Alabama State Games continues
The 41st Alabama State Games, scheduled this year for sites in Birmingham and Jefferson County, is an annual amateur multi-sport competition with nearly 5,000 athletes competing in 20-plus sports for gold, silver and bronze medals and opportunities to be awarded academic scholarships.
Registration is open and is continuing for the games, which are June 7-9. Among the more popular sports are soccer, baseball and, for the first time, powerlifting.
The games were founded in 1982 at the request of the U.S. Olympic Committee to encourage academic success, healthy living and community leadership. As part of this year’s games, the nonprofit ASF Foundation, which hosts the Alabama State Games, will award $40,000 in academic scholarships on June 7.
For more information or to register, visit alagames.com and asffoundation.org.
Whereville, AL
Identify and place this Alabama landmark and you could win $25! Winner is chosen at random from all correct entries. Multiple entries from the same person will be disqualified. Send your answer with your name, address and the name of your rural electric cooperative, if applicable. The winner and answer will be announced in the June issue.
Submit by email: [email protected], or by mail: Whereville, P.O. Box 244014, Montgomery, AL 36124.
Contribute a photo you took for an upcoming issue! Send a photo of an interesting or unusual landmark in Alabama, which must be accessible to the public. A reader whose photo is chosen will also win $25.
April’s answer: Judging from the guesses we received, there are apparently many train cabooses all across Alabama! Guesses included Foley, Cullman, Chickasaw, Montgomery, Elkmont and others. But this particular caboose is in the town park in Gilbertown, in Choctaw County, and was recently restored; the town hopes to be able to eventually rent the caboose for events and other purposes. This picture was taken before the new lettering was finished. (Photo contributed by Donna Maten Carney of Gilbertown.) The randomly drawn correct guess winner is Rebecca Roberson of Joe Wheeler EMC.
