Driftless Outdoor Show returning to Onalaska’s Omni Center this weekend

We are blessed to live in a part of the country filled with natural beauty and an event centered around the different ways to enjoy that beauty returns this weekend.

The Driftless Outdoor Show is back — after a two-year hiatus — celebrating fishing, biking, camping, sailing, hunting and more.

Thanks to Mayo Clinic Health System, admission to the trade show is completely free.

Attendees can chat with, and purchase from, dozens of vendors associated with lots of outdoor activities, outdoor equipment, and adventure.

Friday night will host the “Driftless After Dark” event from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are just $5 for the “Driftless After Dark” portion and include live music from Driftless River Band and two sample drink tickets for the official wine and beer sponsors, Lost Island Wine and Skeleton Crew Brew in Onalaska.

Kourtni Alcock, sales and marketing coordinator for the Omni Center, told Z93 the action isn’t just inside.

There will be outdoor demonstrations as well.

Saturday, there will be a rock wall, Driftless Axe from downtown La Crosse will be doing axe throwing, and local disc golf brand, Bluffside Birdie, will be teaching disc golf to those unfamiliar with the sport.

There will also be animal programs at the show.

“The River Valley Raptors are doing a presentation on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. with some raptors — should be awesome and good education there,” Alcock said. “Nature’s Niche Animal Rescue will be there on Saturday bringing some reptiles.”

Since everything is better with food trucks, local food vendors will be on site, too. Find all the information and schedule on the Driftless Outdoor Show website and on its Facebook page.

If you go:

Friday
4-7 p.m. Trade show (FREE admission)
7-10 p.m. Driftless After Dark with live music from Driftless River Band (Admission: $5 per person includes 2 sample tickets beer/wine)

Saturday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Trade Show (FREE admission)