The Early Show on Nov. 10 started show season around Chicago outdoors, but the bulk of the shows, classes, flea markets and swap meets come in winter starting in early January.
I will update as needed as some dates and sites become solid. If you have anything to add or subtract from this master list, please let me know by any of these means: bowmanoutside@gmail.com, message at Dale Bowman on Facebook, @BowmanOutside on Twitter or @bowmanoutside on Instagram.
Here is the master list:
Nov. 10, 2019: The Early Show, presented by Illinois Smallmouth Alliance and DRiFT, Mayslake Peabody Estate, Oak Brook
Jan. 8-12, Chicago Boat, RV and Sail Show, McCormick Place South
Jan. 9-12: All-Canada Show, Pheasant Run, St. Charles
Jan. 10-12: Lake Home & Cabin Show, Schaumburg Convention Center
Jan. 16-19: Northern Illinois Sports Show, Lake County Fairground & Event Center, Grayslake
Jan. 17-19: Muskie Expo Chicago, Pheasant Run, St. Charles
Jan. 17-19: Greater Chicago RV Show, Schaumburg Convention Center
Jan. 23-26: Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo, Schaumburg Convention Center
Jan. 25-26: Capt. Dan Keating Schools, Lake Michigan Angler, Winthrop Harbor, Salmon 101, Saturday, Advanced Tactics & Seasonal Strategies, Sunday
Feb. 7-9: Rockford Boat, Vacation & Fishing Show, Indoor Sports Center, Loves Park
Feb. 8-9: Tinley Park Fishing Show, Tinley Park High School
Feb. 8-9: Chicago Travel & Adventure Show, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont
Feb. 9: Henry Decoy Show, Henry-Senachwine High School
Feb. 12-16: NWTF Convention & Sport Show, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
Feb. 13-16: Chicago RV & Camping Show, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont
Feb. 14-16: National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic, Minneapolis Convention Center
Feb. 14-16: Muskie Expo Milwaukee, Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center, West Bend, Wis.
Feb. 14-23: Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, Indiana State Fairgrounds
Feb. 22: DRiFT’s annual Fly Fishing Auction, Villa Park VFW, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Feb. 22: Teach Outdoors annual banquet, Jennifer’s Garden Banquet and Convention Center, Morris
Feb. 29: Salmon Unlimited Swap Meet, River Grove Moose Lodge
Feb. 29-Mach 1: Chicago Dive & Travel Expo, Chicago Marriott O’Hare
March 4-8: Journal Sentinel Sports Show, Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center, West Allis, Wis.
March 5-8: Northern Illinois Boat Show, New Lake County Fair Grounds, Grayslake
March 5-8: Illinois Taxidermist Association convention, Decatur Hotel & Conference Center
March 7: Indoor Fishing Flea Market, Rolling Meadows High School
March 7: Illinois Smallmouth Alliance’s Bronzeback Blowout, Elmhurst American Legion
March 7: Fox River Valley chapter of Muskies Inc.’s annual banquet, Schaumburg Golf Club
March 7-8: Elmwood All Outdoors Show, Elmwood Community Schools
March 8: Quad County Hawg Hunters’ Fishing Flea Market, Plano American Legion, dlandmeier@frontier.com or 815-286-7170
March 13-15: Canoecopia, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis.
March 14: Fish & Hook Sports Show, VFW Post 5788, Lockport
March 19-22: Ultimate Sports Show, DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, Mich.
March 20-22: Rockford RV, Camping & Travel Show, Indoor Sports Center, Loves Park
March 13-15: Greater Chicago Boat Show, Schaumburg Convention Center
March 27-29: Illinois Deer Classic, Peoria Civic Center
March 28: Walleyes Unlimited swap meet, Fox Lake Legion Hall
April 18-19: Chicago Herpetological Society’s ReptileFest, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago
April 25: Riverside Fishing Club swap meet, LaGrange American Legion
May 5-9: North American Vintage Decoy and Sporting Collectibles Show, Westin Chicago Lombard
May 8-9: Driftless Outdoors Show, Onalaska Omni Center, Onalaska, Wis.
May 16-17: Outside Experience, Northerly Island
