The fourth year of the Warsaw Outdoor Expo will be held Saturday, May 18 at Drake Harbor, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and a lot of new things are taking place. It is a one-day instead of two-day event, and entry is free. It is a replacement for the previously known Lake Life Outdoor Adventure Expo.
“We made entry free because we would like our visitors to spend their money with our vendors, and our local businesses while they are in the area for the event,” said Megan Petersen, Executive Director of the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce. “There are more vendors this year with over 30 already signed up. In previous years there has been live music at the event, but this is the first time we are doing a concert style. We are very excited that we were able to book a very popular band with a great following – Dirt Road Addiction. The concert starts at 7:00 PM and is also free. The food vendors and beer and wine garden (hosted by Warsaw Leathernecks) will remain open during the concert.”
The contact person for Warsaw Leathernecks, Eric Kirby, said that they will have many drinks but have decided not to serve wine. They will have Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Busch Light and a new Carbliss drink with zero carbs, Gluten Free, zero sugar and is 100 calories. There will also be Nutrl products which are like Carbliss. Shots will also be available to mix with sodas – a good variety.
“We also plan a 50/50 raffle at the beer garden to help raise funds for the new playground,” said Kirby. “We recently raised about $750 from our fish fry and will try to raise that amount to $1,000 for the playground."
Petersen said that food vendors will include a B&B Concession that serves burgers, hot dogs, loaded nachos, pulled pork sandwiches, chips and drinks; Ice Ice Crazy for Sno-cones, Hibachi Ice Cream, Mozark Mocha Fine Coffee & More, and another food truck called Blowin' Smoke BBQ. There will also be fishing, boating, hunting, RV vendors and more.
Kids will have fun with a bounce house and petting zoo. The Chamber contracted with Animals for Thorny Ridge Exotic for the petting zoo. The business plans to bring a camel, water buffalo, kangaroo, American alligator, Jacob sheep, fainting goats, an African antelope, a mini-zebra and more.
A Kayak Race (two-mile paddle race) will take place at 10:00 AM from Truman Dam to Drake Harbor. Entrants must bring their own vessel and there is a $30 entry fee that includes a t-shirt or a $25 entry fee without a t-shirt. Entries made after May 13 need to pay an extra $10.
Another activity is Archery Tag which is a mix between dodge ball and archery. According to Petersen, “you shoot your opponent/target with nerf/rubber arrows. If they are hit, they are out! It is a kid friendly game that the whole family can enjoy.”
Peterson stepped into her new position on February 19, when the Chamber had 263 members. She has been busy working on the Warsaw Outdoor Expo and has been putting committees together for different events, budget, and Academic Excellence. She has also been bridging the Chamber’s relationship with the Benton County Economic Development as well as the Benton County Missouri Tourism and Recreation to make it stronger.
For more information on the expo contact Megan Petersen at the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce at (660) 438-5922, or check Warsaw Outdoor Expo- Facebook.
