Features Editor

Although the Dog Days of summer are still upon us, the thoughts of many outdoor enthusiasts are turning to cooler days and the fall adventures that Mother Nature provides.

There’s no better way to whet one’s appetite for the great outdoors than to attend the Pike County Outdoor Festival and Game and Tame Cook-off on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 10 and 11,

at Cattleman Park on U.S. Highway south of Troy.

Only three booth spaces are still available and that’s an indication that the place is going to be packed. There could be a stampede for the remaining booths so any outdoor suppliers who don’t want to be left out, should call 566-2294 to be a part of this great event.

Festival times on Saturday are from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and, on Sunday, from 1 until 5 p.m. There is no admission charge for the Outdoor Festival, however, everyone is asked to bring a can of food which will donated to the county food bank.

Vendors will showcase and sell everything from lawn equipment to guns and deer stands and something for everyone, from the kids to grandma and grandpa.

A series of

seminars will be presented by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, TREASURE Forest and the Department of Conservation.

Most of the seminars will take place on Saturday beginning at 9:45 a.m. with Hunting Club Management.

The following seminars and times are Hunting Club Leases (10:30 a.m), Landlocked Land (11:15 a.m,),

Pond Management (12:15 p.m.), Hunting Club Management (1:15), Hunting Club Leases (2 p.m.), Landlocked Land (2:45 p.m.) Wildlife and Food Plot Management (3:45 p.m.) and Hunter’s Safety Brief (5 p.m.).

The Sunday seminar will be Hunter’s Safety Brief at 2 p.m.

Two special events are planned for the Outdoor Festival.

An archery contest will pit the best archers in the area against each other. The qualifying rounds will be from 2 until 4:30 p.m. Saturday and the finals will be from 1:30 until 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Prizes will be awarded to the top archers in two age divisions: 10 through 16 and 17 and older.

At 6 p.m. Saturday, the Game and Tame Cook-off will be judged. Anyone who has a great recipe for wild or domestic meat is encouraged to enter. For more information about the cook-off, call 566-0300.

More than 60 door prizes have been donated to the Outdoor Festival and you must be present to win.

Concessions will be provided by the Pike County Cattlemen’s Association both days. On Saturday, the Cattlemen will have hamburgers and hotdogs hot off the grill and French fries to complete the meal. Snack items including popcorn, chips, nachos and colas will be available both days, so everyone is encouraged to come hungry and support the Cattlemen.

To date, the list of Outdoor Festival Booths includes, Cooperative Propane, South Alabama Electric Cooperative, Ward’s Yamaha, Mullis/Motes outdoor and hunting products, WTBF, Jim Stroud, TREASURE Forest, Wal-Mart, Dunns True Value, Troy State University, Goshen Co-op, Johnson Labs, Don Walker’s Western Wear, Long Refrigeration, Hale Taxidermy, Springhill Hunting, Troy New Car Dealers, Carol’s Quails, Puddle Duck Labs, Jim White, St. Andrews Tackle and Fly, Harris Taxidermy, Johnson Lawn Service, Moran Taxidermy and Red Cross First Aid.