CEDAR FALLS - Masses of camouflage-clad outdoors enthusiasts congregated at the UNI-Dome Saturday for the 33rd annual Eastern Iowa Sportshow.

The event brings vendors from all over the Midwest together with customers to show off the latest products and services in the world of hunting, fishing, RV camping and all things outdoors.

This year's event, which started Friday and runs through today, is drawing huge numbers, thanks in part to the long, harsh winter the state has endured.

"I think there's a real cabin fever effect going on here," said John Bunge, president of Iowa Shows Productions Inc., the group responsible for organizing the event. "We've got a lot of people here who have been cooped up all winter and can't wait for the season to start again."

Bunge said many people view the Eastern Iowa Sportshow as a kick-off to the outdoor sports season.

"People know that spring is right around the corner when the Sportshow comes to town," said Bunge. The event usually draws about 15,000 people, he said.

Buried beneath the towering RVs and massive boats on display were the true hidden gems of the show. And some of these organizations went to extreme measures to draw attention away from the latest in fishing rod technology.

The Winnebago Scout Reservation had a modest display, but a pedal-powered go-kart and a giant polar bear caught the attention of hordes of passers-by. The polar bear was properties superintendent Cortney Webber, donning the outfit he wears for polar bear hunts when Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts are on the reservation.

While Webber was receiving plenty of attention just for the costume, people became even more intrigued when he hopped on the nearby pedal car and rode around the UNI-Dome. The pedal cars are a new recreation activity for the reservation, just added last summer.

"I was on my lawn mower one day, and I got the idea for full-sized pinewood derby cars, which have been a Boy Scout tradition for 50 years" said Webber. "I looked around on the Internet and found these pedal cars, and they've been a huge hit."

At first glance, the cars look like cross between a go-kart and a tricycle, but they are equipped to handle a person of almost any size. Webber said they can hold up to 350 pounds, meaning most parents will be able to square off against their children on the self-propelled racers. The Winnebago Scout Reservation has even set up a track around their dining hall so the carts can be used year-round.

Webber was ultimately promoting the reservation itself, and he said it was not solely intended for use by Boy Scouts.

"This is just a great place for anyone who likes to go camping or be outdoors," said Webber. "You could bring your family here, host a business retreat - pretty much anything you can think of."

Besides the pedal cars, the facility also has archery, BB guns, a heated outdoor swimming pool, biking, nature trails, cross-county skiing and sledding.

On the opposite side of the UNI-Dome, a virtual skeet shooting machine was drawing the attention of several men and women. It was part of a booth hosted by the Waterloo chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America.

Among other activities, the Waterloo chapter of Izaak Walton caters to young skeet and trapshooters, so Jeff Schwake, shooting sports coordinator for the chapter, was hoping to attract the next generation of accurate shooters to his display.

"We work with local high schools and help put on events like the state trapshooting meet at Cedar Falls High School," said Schwake.

Schwake and the Waterloo chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America can be contacted at (319) 296-1492. Webber and the Winnebago Scout Reservation can be contacted at (641) 397-2595 or cortney@bsamail.org.

Contact Drew Andersen

at (319) 291-1418 or

drew.andersen@wcfcourier.com.