LAKELAND —
When the 8th annual Deep Woods Deer Fest opens on Saturday, March 3 it will have evolved into the South Georgia OutdoorFest.
"We want our Deer Fest to be Georgia's premiere outdoor sporting festival and to do this we needed to expand our focus to all outdoor sports," explained Larry Lee, the festival founder.
"This has been a community volunteer-driven event and as we expand we are asking all of our friends to join us as we take on this new adventure."
As in the past, the festival is being held on the Threatte Center campus at 209 South Hwy 221. Eight years ago, this festival began the process of raising money to move and restore this facility.
"We are excited to have contracted with Liz Choate, the Gator Queen, from the History Channel's Swamp People to join us this year," said J. H. (Sandy) Sanders, the festival director.
You can watch Liz on the History Channel beginning February 9 as she and her Louisiana gator hunting friends begin their 2012 season.
Since the first year the big auctions - live and silent - will take place during the day and evening. More than 50 shotguns and rifles will be given away through a raffle. The $2 tickets are available now at all Farmers and Merchants Bank locations in Lakeland, Nashville, Homerville and Valdosta. Locations in area towns are being added.
This year a customized golf cart from B&D Golf Carts in Valdosta will be given away. Tickets are $100 and only 100 tickets will be sold.
Also being added this year, Sanders said, a custom built duck boat will be auctioned off Saturday evening.
The popular wild game supper is also expanding to include whole hogs, cooked on open pits, and fried fish. The ever-popular venison will return.
"Local hunters have been diligent in their efforts in gathering the wild game for the meal," said Sanders. Two plate sizes will be available, adult and child. The cost will be $10 for adult and $5 for children.
The Benelli sharp shooting demonstration will return this year with shows throughout the day.
Educational training events and vendors are being added now and a complete list will be announced soon, said Sanders.
"If your hobby and passion is hunting deer, ducks, turkeys, quail or fishing for bass or kayaking down the Alapaha or Suwannee Rivers, then we want our outdoor festival to be a reserved date on your calendar," said Sanders.
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