It’s not too early for families, friends, and youth groups to mark their calendars for Sunday, September 22, 2013, and join the fun at the 17th Massachusetts Outdoor Expo (Big MOE) held at the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club grounds at 24 Hamilton Road in Sturbridge from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM. The Big MOE, sponsored by the Facts About Wildlife and Nature Society (FAWNS), is a free family-oriented event celebrating outdoor skills, nature, art, and wildlife. The Big MOE is the perfect opportunity to introduce young and old to a variety of new outdoor skills and activities. This year, the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will feature their mobile pellet gun range, turkey call making, turkey feathers and decoys and the opportunity to talk to a turkey biologist. A new Camping station will be staffed by a Girl Scout Troop and Tekoa Mountain Outdoors, a new Watershed station will be run by The Last Green Valley National Corridor and this year’s Kayaking station will be staffed by ZOAR Outdoors. A complete list of activity stations in information can be found at www.fawnsexpo.com.
This all-day event is free, thanks to the following co-sponsors: Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Hamilton Rod and Gun Club, The Weatherby Foundation, Whitetails Unlimited and the Worcester County League of Sportsmen’s Clubs. The Big MOE is also in need of enthusiastic, outdoor oriented volunteers willing to assist at several skills stations or to host a skill station. Clubs, conservation organizations, and outdoor oriented businesses wishing to host a skill station, assist others at an existing station or make a donation are welcome. For more information on volunteering or exhibiting, contact Gary Zima at (508) 389-6314 or gary.zima@state.ma.us.
