Al Lindner, Red Green Headline Milwaukee Sports Show

by Dan Small

Red Green, the zany Canadian whose "Red Green Show" spoofs outdoor TV shows and outdoorsmen in general, will join the In-Fisherman's Al Lindner to headline the entertainment at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show at the Wisconsin Center (formerly MECCA) in downtown Milwaukee.

Lindner's multi-media "Al Lindner Fishing Spectacular" will debut on the sports show's Mercury Marine Auditorium stage Fri. March 14 at 4 and 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, March 15 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Red Green, played by comedian Steve Smith, will bring his traveling show to the Mercury Marine Auditorium Mon. and Tuesday, March 17 and 18, for performances at 7:30 p.m. both nights and 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. He will also appear on the IBEW Stage in the Outdoor Wisconsin/Milwaukee Public Television Pavilion to sign autographs Monday from 3 to 5 p.m. and following both evening performances. (Pssst! Want to know more about Red? Here's his home page!)

Other headliners include In-Fisherman's Dan Sura, Fishing Facts' Spence Petros, tackle inventor Mick Thill and walleye pros Gary Roach, Keith Kavajecz, Mike Theyerl, Daryl Christensen, Rick Krueger and Russ Warye. The versatile Joe Bucher will offer seminars on muskie fishing and deer hunting, while Jeff Engel, Doug Hoskins and Mark Isenhardt will present seminars on turkey hunting. Here's a calendar with specific times of these exclusive appearances.

"The 1997 show will be bigger and better than ever," said show director Charlie Potter, whose Great Outdoors Company has taken over management of the state's largest outdoor, vacation and sports exposition.

"We're putting the 'sports' back in the show by bringing in exhibitors, sponsors and features that relate to the traditional shows of the past," Potter said.

Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will kick off the sale of 1997 hunting and fishing licenses in its Log Cabin Pavilion near the sports show's main entrance. The DNR exhibit will also feature the "Wall of Shame," a display of 25 illegally killed trophy deer seized by state wardens; a native game fish tank; an endangered resources display and the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center.

Other pavilions include: Hunting & Fishing, Vacations & Resorts, Wildlife Art, Outdoor Cooking, Team Sports, RV & Camping, Door County and Outdoor Adventure.

Exhibitor booths in the Outdoor Wisconsin/Milwaukee Public Television Pavilion:

Outdoor Wisconsin TV Show and Campsite

Outdoor Skills Center (a non-profit educational center from Plymouth, WI.)

Broken Bow Archery (an archery retailer from Cudahy, WI.)

Friends of the Menomonee River (a non-profit group working to restore the Menomonee River)

Wisconsin Humane Society Wildlife Department (a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation facility)

Wisconsin Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators Possum Lodge Outlet (Red Green merchandise and souvenirs)

Forge Flite, Inc. (an archery equipment manufacturer from New Berlin, WI.)

Ruffed Grouse Society (a non-profit conservation organization)

Wisconsin Waterfowl Association (a non-profit conservation organization)

Here's a Calendar of Seminars

The show will also feature a dog-training stage, a trout-fishing pond, the Great Lakes Timber (lumberjacks) Show, the Bassmaster Castingkids Contest and the Hawg Trough, where pro anglers will demonstrate fishing techniques and lures with the help of live bass.

Show attendees will be able to shop for bargains among acres of boats, campers, and fishing and hunting gear; fish for trout; climb a rock wall; taste wild game; meet sports celebrities or watch state billiard and Midwest archery championship competition.

Dozens of resorts, chambers of commerce and fishing charters will offer travel and vacation ideas, and several radio stations will broadcast live from the Team Sports Pavilion, where special guests will include Packers Robert Brooks and Bernardo Harris.

The 1997 Milwaukee Sports Show will be open to the public for 10 days, March 14-23. Hours are weekdays 2-9 p.m. excepting March 20 and 21, noon-9 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission at the door is $6.50 for adults. Children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Advance tickets may be purchased for $5. For ticket locations and information, call (800) 472-2070 or any Ticketmaster Outlet, Tri-City National Banks or the Wisconsin Center Box Office at (414) 271-2750.