POWA Auction highlights final day of Lehigh Valley Sportsman Show

Through the generous support of show promoters, vendors, guides and outfitters, the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association has raised more than $400,000 the past 31 years through its auctions at outdoors shows.

All the money is used to support a $1,000 scholarship to Penn State University and another to University of Pittsburgh Johnstown for journalism majors with an interest in outdoors communication and underwrite various youth projects such as field day, conservation camps, fishing events, shooting events and school nature activities. That project is receiving the full support of Lehigh Valley Sportsman Show promoter Dennis E. Brozey, who has donated prizes that had been earmarked as door prizes and secured the services of professional auctioneer Kim Kessler of Walnutport.

This year’s POWA auction highlights the final day of the three-day LVSS, which opens Friday, Feb. 28, and continues Saturday and Sunday, March 1 and 2, at the Allentown Fairgrounds Agri-Plex, 302 North 17th St., Allentown. Show hours are Friday, 1-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; parking is free, admission is $10 and ages 12 and younger are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult.

“By expanding the Lehigh Valley Sportsman Show to its original three-day format we’ve been able to attract more vendors, exhibitors, guides and outfitters than last year and have filled the 60,000-square foot Agri-Plex,” Brozey said. “That has allowed us to expand the schedule of seminars and special events, and I feel the most notably of which is the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association auction.”

One of the biggest-ticket items every made available at a POWA auction will be available when the bidding begins Sunday, March 2, at 1 p.m. Bob Ciravolo has donated a 10-day African safari for 2015 with Richard Holmes Safaris that can accommodate two or four hunters.

This hunt is valued at a total cost of $8,000, and because of the expense to the outfitter there is a reserve on this item. All other items will be sold at the auction, no matter the bid.

“For one price, either two or four hunters can hunt two animals each on the Eastern Cape of South Africa,” Ciravolo said. “This hunt is strictly fair chase – no high fences – and due to the terrain is rifle-only hunting.

“Hunters can choose from South African Springbok, Mountain Reedbuck and Common Blesbok. There is the option of taking other animals outside this package on a trophy-fee basis, and non-hunters may be included for a fee.”

In addition to securing Kistler, who has donated the services of his staff for the POWA auction, Brozey has donated many items that had been earmarked as door prizes. There will be, however, be a drawing for a major fishing package and hunting package as door prizes.

In the fishing package is a 7-foot, medium-action Cabela’s Tournament Trail Rod/Reel Combo, Cabela’s Advanced Angler Tackle Bag and assorted Cabela’s fishing lures. In the hunting package is a Remington 7-mm, bolt action rifle with scope, a hard case, a cleaning rod and shooting rest.

There will also be special prizes for kids during the show. They are in addition to the catch-and-keep trout pond for kids and the youth archery tournament sponsored by Archery Addictions.

While donations will be collected by POWA members from vendors at the show up until the day of the auction, several exhibitors have already made a commitment to support the auction.

Among the items that have been donated are: A four-pheasant, one-person hunt with a guide and dog by Martz’s Gap View Hunting and Shooting Preserve; a three-day, two-night vacation with boat docking at Caiger’s Resort, 1000 Islands Region, St. Lawrence River; a custom, hand-made spinning rod by BigDady Rods, Pottsville; two D.G. Yuengling and Sons indoor/outdoor mirrors; a D.G. Yuengling and Sons sleeping bag; a four-person, Lake Ontario fishing charter with Zip ‘N’ Zim Sportfishing, Sodus Bay, N.Y.; a Cabela’s Game Camera and accessories; an original artwork by award-winning wildlife artist Gerry Putt; and an autographed copy of the book “Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle” by Chuck Dixon of Dixon Muzzleloader Shop.

For information on the Lehigh Valley Sportsman Show, call P.B.M. Productions at 610-395-5280 or access the website at http://www.lehighvalleysportsmanshow.com/.