Chicago outdoors: 2020 show season (Update 15), many postponements & cancellations

The Early Show on Nov. 10, 2019 started show season around Chicago outdoors, but the bulk of the shows, classes, flea markets and swap meets come in winter starting in early January of 2020.

I will update as needed as some dates and sites become solid or change. If you have anything to add or subtract from this master list, please let me know by any of these means: bowmanoutside@gmail.com, message at Dale Bowman on Facebook, @BowmanOutside on Twitter or @bowmanoutside on Instagram.

Here is the master list:

Nov. 10, 2019: The Early Show, presented by Illinois Smallmouth Alliance and DRiFT, Mayslake Peabody Estate, Oak Brook

Jan. 3-5: Let’s Go Fishing Show, Gateway Center, Collinsville

Jan. 8-12, Chicago Boat, RV and Sail Show, McCormick Place South

Jan. 9-12: All-Canada Show, Pheasant Run, St. Charles

Jan. 10-12: Lake Home & Cabin Show, Schaumburg Convention Center

Jan. 16-19: Northern Illinois Sports Show, Lake County Fairground & Event Center, Grayslake

Jan. 17-19: Muskie Expo Chicago, Pheasant Run, St. Charles

Jan. 17-19: Greater Chicago RV Show, Schaumburg Convention Center

Jan. 23-26: Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo, Schaumburg Convention Center

Jan. 25-26: Capt. Dan Keating Schools, Lake Michigan Angler, Winthrop Harbor, Salmon 101, Saturday, Advanced Tactics & Seasonal Strategies, Sunday

Feb. 7-9: Rockford Boat, Vacation & Fishing Show, Indoor Sports Center, Loves Park

Feb. 8-9: Tinley Park Fishing Show, Tinley Park High School

Feb. 8-9: Chicago Travel & Adventure Show, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont

Feb. 9: Henry Decoy Show, Henry-Senachwine High School

Feb. 12-16: NWTF Convention & Sport Show, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

Feb. 13-16: Chicago RV & Camping Show, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont

Feb. 14-16: National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic, Minneapolis Convention Center

Feb. 14-16: Muskie Expo Milwaukee, Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center, West Bend, Wis.

Feb. 14-23: Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, Indiana State Fairgrounds

[UPDATE 3] Feb. 15: Midwest Musky Club’s annual swap meet, Village Sportsman’s Club, Alsip

[UPDATE 4] Feb. 15-16: Bedford Sales 50th anniversary Open House, Morris

Feb. 22: DRiFT’s annual Fly Fishing Auction, Villa Park VFW, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

[UPDATE 2] Feb. 22-23: Fish On, Woodland Park, Portage, [Ind.

[UPDATE 5] SOLD OUT Feb. 22: Teach Outdoors annual banquet, Jennifer’s Garden Banquet and Convention Center, Morris

Feb. 29: Salmon Unlimited Swap Meet, River Park Moose Lodge, River Grove

[Update 6] CANCELED Feb. 29-Mach 1: Chicago Dive & Travel Expo, Chicago Marriott O’Hare

March 4-8: Journal Sentinel Sports Show, Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center, West Allis, Wis.

[UPDATE 3] March 5: Midwest Musky Club’s Mega Raffle Fundraiser, Village Sportsman’s Club, Alsip

March 5-8: Northern Illinois Boat Show, New Lake County Fair Grounds, Grayslake

March 5-8: Illinois Taxidermist Association convention, Decatur Hotel & Conference Center

March 7: Indoor Fishing Flea Market, Rolling Meadows High School

March 7: Illinois Smallmouth Alliance’s Bronzeback Blowout, Elmhurst American Legion

March 7: Fox River Valley chapter of Muskies Inc.’s annual banquet, Schaumburg Golf Club

[UPDATE 1] CANCELED March 7-8: Elmwood All Outdoors Show, Elmwood Community Schools No show in 2020

March 8: Quad County Hawg Hunters’ Fishing Flea Market, Plano American Legion, dlandmeier@frontier.com or 815-286-7170

[UPDATE 7] CANCELED March 13-15: Canoecopia, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis.

[UPDATE 8] CANCELED March 13-15: Greater Chicago Boat Show, Schaumburg Convention Center

[UPDATE 7] POSTPONED to May 2: March 14: Fish & Hook Sports Show, VFW Post 5788, Lockport

[UPDATE 8] POSTPONED March 19-22: Ultimate Sports Show, DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, Mich.

[UPDATE 8] POSTPONED March 20-22: Rockford RV, Camping & Travel Show, Indoor Sports Center, Loves Park

[UPDATE 8] POSTPONED to 2021 March 27-29: Illinois Deer Classic, Peoria Civic Center

[UPDATE 11] CANCELED March 28: Walleyes Unlimited swap meet, Fox Lake Legion Hall

[UPDATE 10] CANCELED April 18-19: Chicago Herpetological Society’s ReptileFest, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago

[UPDATE 13] CANCELED April 25: Riverside Fishing Club swap meet, LaGrange American Legion

[UPDATE 15] POSTPONED TO SPRING OF @2021 May 2: Fish & Hook Sports Show, VFW Post 5788, Lockport

[UPDATE 13] CANCELED May 5-9: North American Vintage Decoy and Sporting Collectibles Show, Westin Chicago Lombard

[UPDATE 14] CANCELED May 8-9: Driftless Outdoors Show, Onalaska Omni Center, Onalaska, Wis.

[UPDATE 12] CANCELED May 16-17: Outside Experience, Northerly Island