This 41st year of the annual expo debuts a special kind of watercraft, aiming to prove eco-friendly travel isn't just for land-lovers.
Ten years ago Vern Ahlstrand had an idea. Now fast forward ten years to present day. Vern's idea now sits on the showroom floor at the expo.
"We live in an area that has numerous lakes that don't allow any gas or electric engines among other lakes," says Ahlstrand, whom invented the peddle boat. "So we came up with a design for a pontoon boat that was peddle powered."
The boat is also manufactured with an electric motor for those less likely to peddle. Vern says the simplicity of the boat eliminates any hassle or worries found with fuel driven motors.
"If you're looking at the peddle powered version, its as green as you can get. Electric, again very quiet so you can hear the surroundings and so forth. You don't have to worry about the gas getting old or the alcohol content soaking in water, so its easy."
The expo doesn't only showcase items found above the surface of the water. A 3,000 gallon fish tank holds different species and gives spectators an interactive experience.
"We've got some really large fish in here this year. There's a couple of 35 lb catfish in there. I don't know what we're going to do if a youngster hooks into one of them," says Gordy Tessman, owner of the Hawg Tank.
Tessman says fishing and other wildlife interaction are important activities for kids to get involved in.
"Hopefully here at the tank, it will be a couple youngsters that have never caught a fish before. Its going to be their heritage someday so we need to introduce as many youngsters to fishing and hunting as we can."
The expo starts tonight and runs through Sunday at the Indoor Sports Center just off Interstate 90.
