A quick pop quiz. What could the convergence of these three attractions possibly mean?
Twiggy the Waterskiing Squirrel.
Trophy deer antlers in "The Wall of Shame."
Fishing for live trout indoors.
You've got it. The 43rd annual Duluth Boat, Sports and Travel Show opens Wednesday and continues through Sunday at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.
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The event draws 30,000 to 40,000 people annually to jaw with resort owners, ogle new boats, get deals on fishing gear and eat Mini-Donuts.
Show hours are 5-10 p.m. Wednesday, 5-10 p.m. Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to5 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is $8 for adults 18 and older, $4 for students 6 to 17 and free for kids 5 and younger.
For the first time, the "Wall of Shame" display of trophy deer mounts and other mounted wildlife will be on display. The display, sponsored by the Turn in Poachers program, includes more than 15 trophy deer heads from deer illegally taken in Minnesota. Each mount is accompanied by a story detailing how the animal was poached and how much the poacher was fined.
"Everyone wants to read the stories," said Al Thomas, TIP executive director. "People can't believe how stupid some people are."
All of the trophy racks would make the Minnesota Record Book and many would make the Boone and Crockett record book, Thomas said.
"Wherever we go with this, we always get a crowd," Thomas said.
"Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel" will be back at the show this year after a long absence. The live squirrel rides a pair of water skis pulled by a miniature power boat in a large pool. The act was a crowd-pleaser many years ago, and Twiggy has since been on the "Late Show with David Letterman" and the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
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The show will entertain and inform with other attractions as well. The Stihl Ironjack Timber Team will perform lumberjack sports competitions. John Pesek of British Royalty Kennels will show off his British Labradors. Powerboat racers Dave Halver of Duluth and his daughter, Megan, 16, will be there with both their racing boats.
