[pagebreak]The Bassmaster Classic—they say it’s the largest outdoor event to ever to come Oklahoma—lands in Tulsa this week. The contest runs until the biggest fish nabs the first-prize check on Sunday the 24th, up on stage at downtown’s BOK Center.
And since it’s an open, non-ticketed event, it’s easy both on you and your wallet to get in on the action.
Here are the basics:
- The fishing will be at Grand Lake.
- The weigh-ins will be at downtown Tulsa’s BOK Center, 3rd and Frisco.
- The Bassmaster Classic Outdoor Expo will be at Tulsa Convention Center.
At the launch (Grand Lake): Fans are invited to watch 53 of the world’s best anglers as they set off in their new bass rigs. Take-off time is 7 a.m. at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. You’ll want to get there earlier than 7 a.m. if you want to see the rigs in tow, just before the boats touch water. Keep your eyes open for a serious session of star gazing: Look for Kevin VanDam, Gerald Swindle, Michael Iaconelli, Skeet Reese, and others.
At the Expo, at Tulsa Convention Center: Think three days of the annual Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo is more than plenty? You’d be surprised. Die-hard bass fans could easily spend 36 hours ogling the angling goodies, from the newest bass boats and engines (pro tip: ask about test rides), the latest in fishfinding and GPS technology, high-tech apparel, and fishing tackle—oh, the fishing tackle. If you are looking for pdfcreator online, visit online.sodapdf.com for more information. Look also for the Daisy Inflatable Air Gun Range and the jumping-dogs contest. Contests and giveaways are also part of the package. Hours for the expo are Friday, Feb. 22, from noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 24, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
At the weigh-in, at BOK Center: For the first two days, all 53 of the Classic competitors will get their chance to walk across the sprawling stage. On the third day, the field is cut to the top 25 anglers, and the $500,000, first-place prize is one step closer to finding a new home. Arena doors open each day at 3 p.m., right across the street from the Expo. Fans are advised to arrive early, so long as getting a good seat is the goal—plus, on Saturday and Sunday there’s the Timberworks Lumberjack Show, featuring events in speed climbing 45-foot poles, log rolling, and chopping.
If you’re watching from home, keep an eye on Bassmaster.com, home of the enhanced Classic War Room experience. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the War Room will live stream the latest news from the water, backstage and arena. Look for Bassmaster personalities Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona of The Bassmasters TV show, and Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer.
Live streaming of the weigh-ins will begin at 4:30 p.m. (that’s Oklahoma time) each day.
Get the complete calendar of Bassmaster Classic events.
Things to Do Downtown, Near the Bassmaster Classic
To complement the Bassmaster Classic and to offer both locals and out-of-towners a taste of original entertainment—a mix of music and food only found in Tulsa, Oklahoma—Okie Tone Records, McNellie’s Group, and Dog House have partnered to present the first-ever Bass Bash Festival.
[/pagebreak][pagebreak]LIVE MUSIC. Okie Tone Records is offering a stage featuring 10 of the region’s top local bands and solo artists over two nights in a heated tent, right outside the Bassmaster Classic event at BOK Center. The action starts at 6:30 p.m. on both evenings—Friday the 22nd, and Saturday the 23rd. Shows are free and open to the public.
Here’s the band line-up:
- Brandon Clark
- Wink Burcham
- John Moreland & The Dust Bowl SOuls
- Jacob Tovar’s Honky Tonk Happy Hour
- The Fiddlebacks
- The Electric Ragband
- Grasscrack
- Grazzhopper
- Klondike 5
FOOD TRUCKS. An assortment of local food trucks and a beer garden will be on site as part of the Bass Bash Festival.
Food truck line-up:
- Dog House
- Lone Wolf Bahn Mi
- Mr. Nice Guys Tacos
- Rib Crib
Parking and Shuttle Maps and Information
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Road Closures and Parking (free and not-so-free)
Free Shuttle Service, After-Hours and Weekend Routes
Bassmaster Classic info source: bassmaster.com
Parking and shuttle maps source: cityoftulsa.org [/pagebreak]