The festivities, which kick off the $1.5 million Wal-Mart FLW Tour World Championship of Bass Fishing and Outdoor Show, start tonight at the historic Jefferson Hotel from 6 to 8 p.m. Celebrity Challenge fishing begins Monday at 8 a.m. at Seven Springs Marina on Lake Chesdin in Matoaca followed by a weigh-in and cookout from 2 to 4 p.m. The public is invited to attend the Celebrity Challenge weigh-in at Seven Springs Marina.
A public mixer, where fishing fans can meet the top 48 professional bass anglers in the world, will be held Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The FLW Tour World Championship of Bass Fishing and Outdoor Show, which features a $1.5 million purse and a record $500,000 top award, starts Wednesday at 7 a.m. at Osborne Landing. Competitors will fish the James River Wednesday through Saturday with daily 5 p.m. weigh-ins at the convention center.
An outdoor show featuring guest appearances by Terry Labonte and country singer Andy Griggs, daily giveaways for children, 140 exhibits, and the world’s largest factory supported boat sale opens Wednesday afternoon at the convention center. Show hours are 1 to 9 p.m. daily through Saturday.
Schedule of Events
Sunday, Sept. 7
* 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. FLW Outdoors Celebrity Challenge
Reception – Jefferson Hotel
Monday, Sept. 8
* 7:00 a.m. Boat check, pairings – Seven Springs Marina
* 8:00 a.m. Celebrity Challenge takeoff – Seven Springs Marina
* 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Celebrity Challenge weigh-in and cookout – Seven Springs Marina & The Chesdin Restaurant
Tuesday, Sept. 9
* 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Registration and public mixer – Richmond Convention Center
Wednesday, Sept. 10 Hat/T-Shirt Day at the FLW Tour Championship Outdoor Show
The first 1,500 children through the door after 3:30 p.m. receive a free FLW Outdoors hat and T-shirt.
* 6:15 a.m. Boat check – Osborne Landing
* 7:00 a.m. Contestant takeoff – Osborne Landing
* 1:00 p.m. Outdoor show opens – Richmond Convention Center
* 5:00 p.m. Day one weigh-in – Richmond Convention Center
* 9:00 p.m. Outdoor show closes – Richmond Convention Center
Thursday, Sept. 11 Tackle Box Day at the FLW Tour Championship Outdoor Show
The first 2,000 children through the door after 3:30 p.m. receive a free tackle box.
* 6:15 a.m. Boat check – Osborne Landing
* 7:00 a.m. Contestant takeoff – Osborne Landing
* 1:00 p.m. Outdoor show opens – Richmond Convention Center
* 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. NASCAR driver Terry Labonte autograph session – Richmond Convention Center
* 5:00 p.m. Day two weigh-in – Richmond Convention Center
* 9:00 p.m. Outdoor show closes – Richmond Convention Center
Friday, Sept. 12 Tackle Kit Day at the FLW Tour Championship Outdoor Show
The first 2,000 children through the door after 3:30 p.m. receive a free tackle kit.
* 5:50 a.m. Escort departs – Richmond Convention Center boat yard
* 7:00 a.m. Contestant takeoff – Osborne Landing
* 11:00 a.m. Youth/school visits
(Select pro anglers visit with children to teach the importance of conservation and answer questions about fishing.)
* 1:00 p.m. Outdoor show opens – Richmond Convention Center
* 5:00 p.m. Day three weigh-in – Richmond Convention Center
* 9:00 p.m. Outdoor show closes – Richmond Convention Center
Saturday, Sept. 13 Rod and Reel/Ranger Boat Day at the FLW Tour Championship Outdoor Show
The first 3,000 children through the door receive a free rod-and-reel combo, and one lucky member of the audience who registered to win will leave with a new Ranger 519.
* 5:50 a.m. Escort departs – Richmond Convention Center boat yard
* 7:00 a.m. Contestant takeoff – Osborne Landing
* 1:00 p.m. Outdoor show opens – Richmond Convention Center
* 5:00 p.m. Final weigh-in and Free Andy Griggs concert – Richmond Convention Center
* 9:00 p.m. Outdoor Show Closes – Richmond Convention Center
Named after Ranger Boats founder Forrest L. Wood, the Wal-Mart FLW Tour is run by FLW Outdoors, the world’s leading marketer of competitive fishing. Wal-Mart signed on as title sponsor of the FLW Tour in 1996 and has since expanded its sponsorship of FLW Outdoors tournaments to include the EverStart Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail, Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Tour and Wal-Mart RCL Walleye League. FLW Outdoors will award anglers as much as $20 million in 2003 through 175 tournaments nationwide.
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