Chicago outdoors showtime: Maritime & Steelhead

I am quirky enough that I should have been at the Chicago Maritime Festival by now.

That’s John Roberts above singing a wonderful tale last year.

Unfortunately, I have yet to see the one-day festival. And Saturday looks iffy at best for me to make it this year.

I like things in the outdoors that spread across multiple interests, and the Chicago Maritime Festival certainly does: art, song, storytelling, ship building, ship wrecks and lighthouses.

It is Saturday at the Chicago History Museum (Clark and North). Click here for info.

Here’s my problem, by the end of February, I usually am gearing up for the change of seasons and am antsy to get outside.

All the same, I should try to get there this year, the weather sounds better for indoor pursuits than out.

The other show I should have visited at least once by now is the Northwest Indiana Steelheaders Spring Fever Outdoor Show.

There’s a ton of good seminars by people from our area who know what they are talking about, people like Ed Mullady, John Galambos, Chae Dolsen and Capt. Mike Schoonveld.

It is at the Expo Center in Valparaiso, Ind. this weekend. Click here for info.

I am hpping to make it this year. We’ll see.

The Spring Fishing Classic is at Bass Pro Shops from Friday through March 13. Click here.

COMING UP:

March 4-6: Lake Home & Cabin Show, Schaumburg Convention Center

March 4-6: Rockford Boat Show and companion Fishing & Outdoor Expo, Indoor Sports Center, Rockford

March 5-6: Great Outdoors Expo, Woodstock North High School, Woodstock

March 5: BRONZEBACK BLOWOUT, Joe Cornwall, Featured Speaker, Elmhurst American Legion

March 5-6: Elmwood All Outdoors Show, Elmwood High School and Grade School

March 9-13: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, Wis.

March 11-13: Canoecopia, Alliant Energy Center, Madison

March 12: Indoor Fishing Flea Market, Rolling Meadows High School

March 25-27: Illinois Deer & Turkey Classic, Peoria Civic Center

April 29-30: National Antique Decoy & Sporting Collectibles Show, Pheasant Run, St. Charles