The God & the Great Outdoors Expo was held at The Oil Palace, located at 10408 State Hwy 64 Tyler, Tx, on July 11 – 13.
The God & the Great Outdoors is a non – profit and one hundred percent volunteer – based Christ centered event which also aims to bring together and connect fishing and hunting enthusiasts. This year marks the 5th annual the expo has taken place, while continuing its focus on faith, family, and the great outdoors.
This expo was held July 11 from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., July 12 from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., and July 13 from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., and was inclusive for adults and kids of all ages. This faith centered and family oriented event featured worship sessions, celebrity speakers and experts, and various vendors that showcase clothing, snacks, hunting accessories and gear, fishing accessories and equipment, as well as interactive outdoor exhibits.
Celebrity speakers in attendance include Justin Martin and John Goodwin from Duck Dynasty who specialize in duck hunting, Todd Faircloth and Nick LeBrun, pro bass anglers who offered bass tournament insights, Clay Gann, a crappie fish expert who offered insight on crappie fishing tactics, Tom Claycomb III, an outdoor writer who shared airgun hunting trends, and Dr. Duck, also known as Dennis Loosier who offered public land hunting tips and techniques.
In addition, there were various vendors at the expo such as clothing vendors such as Willow Hat & Promo Co. and TNT outdoors. There were various hunting and fishing accessories vendors such as Tubey’s Outfitter, At The Ready, TPWD – Hunter Education, Red Alert Lures, Vineyard Max – Deer Products, White Tail Ranch, Two Hats Ranch, C&P Hydrographics, Pompey Creek Ranch, T Post Camera Mount, Anwika, and Osprey Global Scopes. There were also interactive On Target Archery and a rattlesnake exhibit, and outdoor exhibits such as a Texas Junior Angler Fish Tank, bounce houses, a rock climbing site, Gator Country Road Show that showcased live alligators, and a petting zoo.
Aside from the vendors and exhibits, there were also numerous raffles for attendees to enter through the expo such as a vendor gun raffle, a raffle to win a big game feeder, a raffle to win a bass fishing trip for two, one to win a rod and reel combo, a youth deer hunt for a youth and a parent, a youth hog hunt, a youth duck hunt, a raffle to win a Anderson Manufacturing AM – 15 5.56 Nato and a Vortex Copperhead 4-12×44 mm Riflescope, a raffle to win a Polaris Sportsman 570 EFI ATV, one to win food plot seeds, one to win a Broken Bottle Arcade gift certificate valued a nearly 3 thousand dollars, a raffle to win a exotic hunt trip for two, one to win an upland bird hunting package for up to four people, a raffle to win a blackstone grill, as well as a one to win a pair of omega uninsulated zip wanders.
Overall, The God & the Great Outdoors Expo was an event designed to mix faith and fellowship with the love of the great outdoors and nature related hobbies. With the inclusivity of the hands – on activities offered, it also made a great event for family fun.
Moving forward, the expo is expected to continue to take place in mid – July, typically landing on the second weekend of that month.
