Toyota Texas Bass Classic to Show Why “Life’s Better Outside”

Media Contact: Lenny Francoeur, Tournament Director, (479) 715-6103, icle__media__contact">Media Contact: Lenny Francoeur, Tournament Director, (479) 715-6103, lenny@toyotatexasbassclassic.com; Adam Harris, Marketing and Communications Senior Manager, (919) 531-0500, adam@toyotatexasbassclassic.com; Larry Hodge, (903) 670-2255, larry.hodge@tpwd.texas.gov

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ATHENS—The slogan of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is “Life’s Better Outside,” and department staff will show visitors to the Toyota Texas Bass Classic in Conroe October 28—30 why that’s so.

The Reliant Energy Outdoor Adventures Area will be a featured attraction at the TTBC. The Outdoor Adventures Area features kid-friendly activities that emphasize TPWD’s youth fishing programs. Activities include a rock climbing wall, archery, air rifle shooting, kids casting challenge and a host of outdoor-themed educational and interactive exhibits.

TPWD staff will be on hand to help adults and kids alike learn about many aspects of the outdoors in Texas. Anglers of all ages will want to visit the fish care area to learn how to take care of big bass to keep them alive. TPWD biologists who have done ground-breaking research in fish care will be available to demonstrate and explain how to install a livewell oxygenation system that will improve fish survival dramatically at a reasonable cost.

If you want to know how you can help improve fish habitat and fight invasive species in your favorite fishing lake, the TPWD experts in those areas will be there to answer your questions. The Seven Coves Bass Club of Willis is a pioneer in this area, and members of the club will be present to help you get started.

Are you looking for a place near your home where you and your family can catch some fish and take them home to eat? Visit the Neighborhood Fishin’ display. If you need help learning to catch those fish, check out the Fishing Fundamentals, Backyard Bass and Take Me Fishing activities.

Is there a budding artist in your home who would like to compete in a national fish-art contest? Drop by the State-Fish Art Contest display and learn all about it.

When you’re ready for more hands-on activities, the Baytown Nature Center touch tanks will let you get very up-close and personal with some aquatic creatures.

The Reliant Energy Outdoor Adventures Area will also feature the Texas Game Warden Association’s Wall of Shame display; the Toyota ShareLunker display of the biggest bass ever caught in Texas; displays on Texas rivers, streams and reservoirs; information on state parks and boater education and the chance to sign up for a subscription to Texas Parks & Wildlife, TPWD’s national-award-winning magazine.

All that and you haven’t even gotten to the main tournament venue.

The 2011 edition of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) will bring together some of the biggest names in country music with the biggest names in professional bass fishing for the annual three-day fishing and music festival.  Proceeds from the TTBC will support TPWD education and conservation efforts. This year’s donation of $250,000 will bring the total raised for TPWD by the event to $1.25 million.

And remember, it’s all free. Admittance to all three days of concerts, the Reliant Energy Outdoor Adventures Zone, tournament weigh-ins, and the interactive expo area is free through exclusive tournament partners. Limited quantities of free tickets are available while supplies last through respective sponsor promotions, visiting Houston-area Toyota dealerships, Academy Sports and Outdoors locations or at toyotatexasbassclassic.com. Walk-up tickets the day of the event will require a suggested $10 (per person) donation towards Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.  Kids 17 and under will be admitted free all three days as long as they are accompanied by a ticketed adult.

In addition to the fun family activities and displays put on by TPWD and merchandise available for purchase from vendors, the following options are available for free to all visitors.

Concerts with Billy Currington, Pat Green and Robert Earl Keen. Premier country music star Billy Currington will kick-off three days of concerts on Friday, Oct. 28th at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center’s festival grounds in Conroe. Texas fan-favorite Pat Green, a three-time Grammy-nominee, will hit the stage on Saturday, Oct. 29th while Robert Earl Keen, another native from the Lone Star State, will close out the weekend on Sunday, Oct. 30th.

Bass Fishing World Championship. The world’s best professional bass anglers will descend upon Lake Conroe for a three-day tournament that combines the top PAA anglers from the Walmart FLW Tour, Bassmaster Elite Series and Bass Pro Shops PAA Tournament Series. All of the thrilling action of tournament weigh-ins will be free to the public at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center through the exclusive free ticket offer. Attendees will be able to view live updates on the Jumbotron as well as see the daily weigh-ins and collect the autographs of their favorite pro anglers.

Food and Drink. Families and fans will be able to enjoy a wide variety of food and drink options from Holmes Smokehouse and the traditional favorites at numerous concessions stands located throughout the venue.

Fishing Seminars. Stop by the Academy Sports + Outdoors Expo area at the TTBC to see some Texas-sized bass in the Berkley Bass Tank and learn tips and techniques from the best anglers in the world.  There will also be a casting pond to test out your casting skill.

Toyota Drive Center. This event is part of a nationwide series of events that provide consumers with a hands‐on opportunity to experience Toyota’s safety, durability and quality while engaging with several vehicles in the 2012 lineup. A unique off-road course has been designed specifically for the TTBC to showcase the Toyota truck and SUV lineup to fans in attendance. Spectators will also be able to get behind the wheel of the all-new reinvented 2012 Camry at the Toyota Camry Ride & Drive.

Global Inheritance Prius Energy Playground. Rethink the way you create, manage and store energy at the Prius Energy Playground, where you can see firsthand how to generate enough power to run a snow cone machine, power a video game and more by riding stationary bikes and see-sawing.

Get on the Water in a Legend. Meet Legend and Evinrude professional anglers, factory representatives and dealers in the ultimate test ride opportunity with the Legend Boats and Evinrude teams at Lake Conroe. Test drives will run daily (Oct. 28-30) from 7:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. from the Waterpoint Plaza.

Free Boat Launch Viewing Each Day at the Waterpoint Plaza on Lake Conroe. Fans can attend the exciting boat launch for free each morning of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, Friday – Sunday at Waterpoint Plaza on Lake Conroe. Boat launches run each day from 7 – 8:30 a.m. Waterpoint Plaza is at 15256 Highway 105 West, between County Line BBQ and Sam’s Boat.

Event Location. The Lone Star Convention & Expo Center is a state-of-the-art facility conveniently located minutes from Lake Conroe and The Woodlands and only 40 minutes north of Houston. The location offers easy access to event activities, local shops and restaurants. For more information visit www.thelonestar.org

The Toyota Texas Bass Classic tournament functions are operated by the Professional Anglers Association with technical assistance and support from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries Division. Title sponsor for the event is Toyota. Additional sponsors include Evinrude, IKON, Oakley, Carrot Stix, US Reel and Mustang CAT.

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