The Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Northwest Resource Conservation and Development will be having their first annual Marion County Outdoor Expo on Friday, March 1, 2024. The expo will be held at Bevill State Community College in Hamilton from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the public is invited; the event is open to all ages. There will be something for everyone.

This will be Extension’s kickoff event for Move Alabama. Move Alabama is a collaborative effort between SNAP-Ed and EFNEP at Auburn University and encourages individuals to embrace an active lifestyle with family, friends and neighbors. You can pick up your Move Alabama Challenge form at the Live Well Alabama table at the expo or Marion County Extension Office. The Marion County Commission declares March 2024 to be Move Marion County Month as part of the Move Alabama Initiative.

At the expo, participants can compete in the obstacle course challenge and kayak in a tank held by the Hamilton Fire Department. Also available are dummy roping, stick horse racing and goat untying by the Cowboy Church; or the rock wall, strength tester and more hosted by the National Guard. Once completed, participants can check off their Move Alabama challenges and register for prizes.

Learn more about the outdoors, hiking, camping, water watch, trapping, running, archery, gardening, drones and our natural resources. Visit the sheriff’s department table and pick up your Kid Care ID kit. Extension Horticulture will be participating in a seed give away. Visit other vendors to learn more about moving more and the outdoor experience. Make sure to visit each vendor and station for a chance to win more great prizes. Rowdy Hogs will have a food truck available during the event.

“Don’t forget to stop by the backpacking booth and see Karl Byrd, Lynn Mitchell and Andy Goodson to talk about the rules of backpacking, including how to be prepared and how to keep trails in the same condition they were found. While there, also register to win an overnight backpacking trip to Bankhead National Forest.”-Lynn Mitchell, Assistant County Engineer

“Boy Scout Troop 56 will be demonstrating a working campsite, first aid, knots, lashing and other outdoor scout skills. Boys from kindergarten to 17 years old can sign up to begin their scouting journey. Cub Scouts are for 5-10 year olds, while Boy Scouts are for 11-17 year olds.”-John Sims, BSA Troop 56 Scoutmaster

“Marion County Emergency Management will also be giving away 100 weather radios (limit one per household, while supplies last.)”-Eric Terrell, EMA Director

The expo will also have a turkey calling contest, with three divisions: 12 and under; 13-19; 20 plus. There will be a first, second and third place award in each division. You can register to enter the contest the day of the event between 8:45 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. in the main Bevill auditorium. The turkey calling contest will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Extension will welcome home Hamilton Native Clay Dyer, a professional sport bass fisherman. Dyer’s motto for life is, “If I can, you can.” Clay will be available for a meet/greet/photo opportunity between 10:00 AM-11:45 AM. Clay will round out our activities for the day as our guest speaker for the event, beginning at noon.

Address:
1333 Military St. S
Hamilton, AL 35570

Contact:
Carla Lewis
Cll0031@aces.edu
(205) 921-3551