- Messages
- 79,281
- Reaction score
- 45,639
Expo features something for everyone
July 20,2006
Peter Rasmussen
Monitor Staff Writer
July 20,2006
Peter Rasmussen
Monitor Staff Writer
McALLEN — More than 25,000 people are expected to visit the 16th annual Texas Hunters & Sportsman’s Expo this weekend at the McAllen Civic Center.
The number of visitors at the annual Expo is the reason Don Turner continues to set up his luxury hunting resort exhibit year after year. Turner owns Hacienda Don Quixote, a 21-room Mexican resort 2 1/2 hours south of McAllen that caters to hunters.
"What I have seen since I have been a part of the event is its growth the last five or seven years," Turner said about the Expo, which opens its doors at 5 p.m. Friday.
Turner added the growing Rio Grande Valley population is beneficial in drawing visitors to his resort which includes a full-service spa and shopping trips.
"Since it has been growing, the demographics have changed somewhat," Turner said. "I am not going after the person who has lived in the Valley all their life because they probably have friends and family in Mexico that they can go hunt with. This is for people who are moving here and corporations."
Turner said he will be offering special discounts and show specials at the Expo for those who book a stay at the resort.
Turner’s exhibit is only one of about 200 that will set up at the Civic Center. Although the Expo caters to hunters and outdoors sportsmen, Expo co-owner Chris Curl said the Expo has become a family affair.
There will be the usual rifle displays and hunting gear displays, but the Expo has grown enough to include something for everyone.
"There will be a crocodile and snake pit for the kids," Curl said. "There will be shopping. We will have barbecue testing. There will be a lot going on, a little bit of everything.
"If you like beef jerky, we have a place that makes the best beef jerky I have ever tasted. They sell out every year and we get people who come back every year just to eat jerky."
Along with the Rust Game Place that makes the jerky, the Expo will also feature Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears, who will be signing autographs Saturday.
The costs of admission are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and free for children under 12.
LINK
The number of visitors at the annual Expo is the reason Don Turner continues to set up his luxury hunting resort exhibit year after year. Turner owns Hacienda Don Quixote, a 21-room Mexican resort 2 1/2 hours south of McAllen that caters to hunters.
"What I have seen since I have been a part of the event is its growth the last five or seven years," Turner said about the Expo, which opens its doors at 5 p.m. Friday.
Turner added the growing Rio Grande Valley population is beneficial in drawing visitors to his resort which includes a full-service spa and shopping trips.
"Since it has been growing, the demographics have changed somewhat," Turner said. "I am not going after the person who has lived in the Valley all their life because they probably have friends and family in Mexico that they can go hunt with. This is for people who are moving here and corporations."
Turner said he will be offering special discounts and show specials at the Expo for those who book a stay at the resort.
Turner’s exhibit is only one of about 200 that will set up at the Civic Center. Although the Expo caters to hunters and outdoors sportsmen, Expo co-owner Chris Curl said the Expo has become a family affair.
There will be the usual rifle displays and hunting gear displays, but the Expo has grown enough to include something for everyone.
"There will be a crocodile and snake pit for the kids," Curl said. "There will be shopping. We will have barbecue testing. There will be a lot going on, a little bit of everything.
"If you like beef jerky, we have a place that makes the best beef jerky I have ever tasted. They sell out every year and we get people who come back every year just to eat jerky."
Along with the Rust Game Place that makes the jerky, the Expo will also feature Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears, who will be signing autographs Saturday.
The costs of admission are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and free for children under 12.
LINK
