The Expo began in 1994 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta before moving to the Montgomery Convention Center in 1996.
Fall is just around the corner and that means hunters are thinking about white-tailed deer.
“Deer hunting season begins in October with bow hunting, and rifle hunting season begins in November and runs through February,” said Jackie Bushman, founder of Buckmasters.
Fortunately, the Buckmasters Expo is ready with gear, supplies and inspiration for hunters Friday through Sunday, August 16-18, at the Convention Center in downtown Montgomery.
“It’s always an honor and a pleasure to bring it back to my hometown,” said Bushman. “I was born and raised here.”
Without the pandemic, this year would be the 30th.th annual Expo. Bushman counts this year’s as the 29th, although the event has been running since 1994.
“I think we couldn’t do it for a year because of COVID,” Bushman said.
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The Expo began in the Georgia Dome
In May 1994, the Advertiser wrote about Buckmasters’ first “Country Jam Expo,” which was to take place two months later (July 8-10, 1994) at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
“I couldn’t just put this concept anywhere. It had to be a covered arena,” Bushman said.
It included hunting projects and equipment, exhibits, seminars and an indoor archery competition. That first expo featured country superstars – Travis Tritt and the Charlie Daniels Band. Bushman said they held a country concert on one half of the football field and a professional archery tournament on the other half.
“Around the mezzanine we had all the booths and vendors,” Bushman said. “Up in the dome we had an amateur archery tournament.”
In July 1995, the Expo was held again in the Georgia Dome, and the following year it might have been held in Atlanta. However, in 1996, the Olympic Games were to be held in Atlanta.
“We either had to take a year off or go somewhere else,” Bushman said. “We came back here and surveyed the Montgomery Convention Center back then, and it actually worked.”
From August 23 to 25, 1996, the Expo took place for the first time at the Convention Center in Montgomery.
“It was so successful. We got the governor and everyone behind us. The city, the county, the Chamber of Commerce, everyone supported us,” Bushman said. “The exhibitors loved it so much, the hospitality that Montgomery was able to offer the event. The vendors sold out of products. They told me not to bring it to Atlanta. Let’s keep it here in Montgomery.”
The Expo has been held here ever since.
“We attract people from all over the country who come to Montgomery,” Bushman said.
What’s coming up at Buckmasters Expo 2024?
Mountain Dew is the main sponsor again this year. Bushman said that thanks to the sponsors, entry remains a $1 donation or a can of food.
“Bring some cans of food,” Bushman said.
Food donations will be given to the Friendship Mission and the Salvation Army, Bushman said.
The Buckmasters Expo features over 300 vendors from across the country.
“This is basically their last show on their tour,” Bushman said. “They want to get rid of all their inventory, so they’re significantly lowering their prices.”
As always, this is an event where hunters can bring their prepared deer heads for free evaluation and antler display.
There is also fun for the little ones at the exhibition, including games.
“It’s a family event. That’s how it was designed,” Bushman said. “The kids are our future outdoors. It’s a great lifestyle. I always say it’s the best education you can get.”
Special guests at this year’s Expo include:
Jared Hollenbeck, who is bringing racing pig Swifty Swine to Buckmasters for the first time, said he is looking forward to the Top Bow Archery competition.
“I’m more excited about that than anything,” Hollenbeck said. “I told (Bushman), ‘I know where I’m going to be between my shows.’ It just sounded too cool to me.”
Once again, the Expo is offering its guests free cruises on the Alabama River aboard the riverboat Harriott II.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, after the Expo closes, the outdoor bull riding “Bulls & Buckmasters” will take place again.
“We’re going to provide some entertainment for the bulls, some music and stuff like that,” Bushman said.
The Expo opening hours are: Friday, August 16, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, August 17, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, August 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We’re just trying to keep it fresh and hope people keep coming out to support it,” Bushman said.
Tallapoosa Street along the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa will be closed for outdoor activities and exhibits.
“Bring a friend who has never been outdoors before,” Bushman said.
What’s next for Buckmasters?
Filming for Buckmasters’ 38th year begins next year.
“We are the longest-running hunting show in the history of cable television,” Bushman said.
Looking to the future, Bushman said he sees a connection between Buckmasters and Montgomery Whitewater, the city’s new man-made river system where people can ride rafts and kayaks down the rapids.
“We’re going to be covering Whitewater on TV this year with some of our influencers,” Bushman said. “I think that’s going to be a big draw in the future for people who want to come to Montgomery to see the expo and the bull event and experience Montgomery Whitewater.”
Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers activities in the River Region. Contact him at [email protected]
