March 7-10, 2024
Features & Attractions
PLEASE NOTE: The following information is from the 2023 Sport Show. The 2024 Show details will be posted later this year.
Timberworks Lumberjack Show
Captivating audiences for over 25 years, Timberworks Lumberjack Show powered by STIHL includes events such as axe throwing, chopping, log rolling, cross-cut sawing, hot sawing and chainsaw carving. These century old skills were used in the logging camps of North America in the early 1900’s. To pass idle time, lumberjacks would challenge opposing logging camps in head-to-head competitions. Although technology and machinery have replaced manual labor, the old-time skills are still used today by the Lumberjacks. Feel the rush of adrenaline as competitors race up poles at lightning speed or saw through twelve inches of aspen with the speed of a modern day chain saw. Then move to the edge of your seat as competitors show off their fancy footwork while running on logs or axe throw with the precision of a dartboard champion.
Timberworks Lumberjack Show Schedule:
Thursday: 4pm | 7pm
Friday: 2pm | 5pm
Saturday: 1pm | 4pm | 7pm
Sunday: 12pm | 3pm
Tony Gates – Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger Food Drive
Bring a sack of at least 6 non-perishable food items (cans or boxes) on Thursday ONLY, March 9 to the front of DeVos Place and get in to the Show FREE on Thursday! Tony Gates will be at DeVos Place from 3pm to 6pm for a remote broadcast with HUGE Bill Simonson. The food will be collected by MSAH volunteers and donated to God’s Kitchen of Catholic Charities West Michigan and other needy organizations. Over the years it is estimated that attending Sportsmen, upwards of 2,000 each year, have donated over 120,000 lbs. of food during this, the largest annual single day food drive in Michigan! Help Tony Gates and MSAH volunteers set another record this year!
Lake Ultimate
An indoor lake? You bet! DeVos Place will be home to a huge indoor lake. With over 110,000 gallons of water, this lake provides the ultimate opportunity for our seminar leaders to present from their rigged fishing boats while maneuvering across the waters of Lake Ultimate. These are truly unique seminars seen only at Michigan’s Ultimate Sport Shows!
Big Buck Night West
Thursday – 6pm
Presented by Michigan Out-of-Doors TV Show
Celebrity hosts Jimmy Gretzinger and Jenny Olson will interview the lucky Michigan hunters who have bagged some of the largest whitetail deer of the season. Special consideration is given to hunters who have amazing stories about their trophies. This one-night show will be filmed for airing on the upcoming television program and is a must-see for every Michigan deer hunter!
Hawg Trough
The Hawg Trough is a mobile 5,000 gallon fish tank that will be at the Ultimate Sport Show with guest fishing experts on hand every day providing seminars and fishing demonstrations. You’ll want to see this unique seminar platform and learn from the best!
Deer Processing Demo
Saturday at 2:30pm on Stage E&F
Steve Francis, owner of Country Smoke House, will demonstrate how to field dress, handle, butcher and process your next whitetail deer. Country Smoke House processes thousands of deer each year. Steve is an expert in his field and will show you the tricks of the trade and lessons learned over decades of hard work in the butchering industry. He starts with a fresh deer and walks through every step of the process from dressing and skinning to butchering and packaging. This is a must-see for every deer hunter and venison lover.
Trout Pond
Operated by Northern Little League as a fundraiser, you and your kids are invited to come and try your hand at one of the State’s best trout ponds. Even if you come just to watch, you will see the highest catch percentage of any trout pond! It only costs $7 to give it a try. The Steelheaders will clean, fillet and bag with ice your catch at their booth for free.
Fish Cleaning Demonstrations
Presented by the Grand Rapids Steelheaders
Learn the best way to clean your fish! All fish caught at the trout pond will be cleaned and bagged with ice for free at the Steelheaders’ fish cleaning / demonstration booth. Bring ’em home ready for the skillet!
Rock Climbing Wall
Participants may climb this 25-foot wall utilizing the state of the art hydraulic billet system, brought to the Show by Cran Hill Ranch. Test your skills with the ultimate in safety. There is a small fee for participation.
Antique & Classic Fishing Tackle
Visit them in booth #50 in the Grand Gallery
Terry McBurney, award winning Woods-n-Water News writer, will be on hand all four days of the Show exhibiting some of his “Made in Michigan” fishing tackle collection. He is a member of the National Fishing Lure Collectors Club and the Old Reel Collectors Association and is well versed in a wide variety of lures, reels, rods and accessories. Terry will be answering questions and offering FREE appraisals. Ultimate Sport Show visitors are invited to bring in their old fishing tackle tucked away in the barn, basement or garage. There might be some valuable surprises!
Woodland Woodcarvers
A highlight of the Show every year is the beautiful and impressive display of the Woodland Woodcarvers. These artisans will display the results of their work, as well as demonstrate their considerable skills. Every year it gets better. Everything from the incredibly lifelike to the whimsically humorous. Woodcarvings of every kind will be on display, and carvers will be happy to discuss their work.
ORV Certification Class
Presented by the Kent County Sheriff’s Department
Saturday, March 11 ~ 12pm – 5pm
The Kent County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting an Off Road Vehicle Certification Course. Certification is required for all children under 16 years old to operate an ORV in Michigan (even on private property). However, the course is available to older ORV operators as well. Successful completion of the class will lead to certification as an “ORV Operator by the Michigan DNR.” A test will be administered at the completion of the class and after the class participants will be able to enjoy the Sport Show at no charge. For additional information call 616-632-6223 (pre-registration is not required).
There is no fee to attend the ORV Certification Class. Participants should gather in the main entrance lobby of DeVos Place and will be directed to the seminar room just before 12pm.
Ultimate Walleye Clinic
Saturday: 12pm – 2pm
The clinic is FREE with your paid show admission ticket to the first 100 to sign up. Register at Romanack’s Booth
Walleye Gurus Mark Romanack and Jake Romanack will join forces for the Ultimate Walleye Clinic!
It would be hard to find two anglers with more collective walleye fishing experience. These men are ardent trollers who have spent countless hours fishing the open waters of Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay for trophy walleyes. Just some of the topics of interest that are sure to be covered in this seminar include crankbait trolling, using planer boards, fishing diving planers, using downriggers, snap weight trolling, techniques for drifting and trolling live bait and much more. This special 2-hour workshop on advanced Walleye Techniques will cover every new angle for fishermen who want to climb to the next level of catching walleyes.
Free admission to this clinic with your paid Show Admission ticket! Chance to win dozens of door prizes. Register at Mark Romanack’s booth. Those signing up for the clinic on Thursday & Friday of the Show will be given re-admission passes to enter the Show on Saturday for the clinic. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the pros!
Ultimate Bass Clinic
Saturday: 3pm – 5pm
$25 Fee – Purchase tickets in the Fishing Information Services Booth
Capt. Wayne Carpenter and Combat Bass Fishing Pro Staff offer you a look into bass fishing secrets in technique, style and tackle. Get more than your monies worth from a seminar that delivers the details then sends you out with info and more value in product than you paid for! Get the inside scoop on techniques from tournament fishing pro-staff and guide level techniques for dialing in on spots from Capt. Wayne. At the end, fire questions at our panel and get more than one perspective or solution for catching super bass. One hour just isn’t long enough for anglers who want advanced bass fishing information so get two hours, and leave with more than you bargained for! Sign up for the Ultimate Bass Clinic and get a “tournament tune-up” for the upcoming season.
A fee of $25 will be collected at the Fishing Information Services booth Thursday through Saturday morning. Each attendee will receive a “free gift” valued at more than the cost of the clinic, plus a chance to win the Grand Prize drawing! Those signing up for the clinic on Thursday or Friday will be given a free re-admission pass to enter the show on Saturday for the Clinic. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a team of professionals who want to see you succeed! Sign up early, seating is limited.
Ultimate Salmon Clinic
Sunday: 12pm – 2pm
The clinic is FREE with your paid Show Admission ticket to the first 100 to sign up. Register at the Grand Rapids Steelheaders’ Booth #2000
Presented by Dave Engel and Hunter Engel of Best Chance Promotions
These two superstars of Big Lake Tournaments will share their special techniques and experience garnered over the last 20 years as tournament champions on the Great Lakes. Whether it is long lining lead core, maximizing Dipsy results, getting the most out of your electronics, or selecting your tackle, time spent here will assuredly improve next year’s catch.
Register for the clinic at the Grand Rapids Steelheaders’ booth #2000. Those signing up for the clinic on Thursday, Friday or Saturday will be given re-admission passes to enter the Show on Sunday for the clinic. Plenty of time will be set aside for questions and answers.
Virtual Fishing Simulator
Presented by the Michigan Charter Boat Association
Take the trolling rod in hand, watch the video screen and get ready! The salmon takes that lure like a freight train and your job is to land that fish. You have to try this technology! Michigan charter captains are on-hand to coach your fish playing technique. Top scores for the weekend will win charter trips on the Great Lakes.