PRICES

•  3-day armband – $21

•  Adult ticket – $10

•  Youth ticket – $8

• Military with ID – $8

•  4 and under, free

The countdown is on.

In less than a week, the third Covington Expo will open in Andalusia, and organizer Harold Barnes says it will be better than ever.

In addition to more than 110 vendors, shows will include expert marksmen, a reptile show and Swamp People.

“We could have had more than 200 vendors,” Barnes said earlier this week. “We are trying to make sure we have quality vendors. Last year we had 140. Buckmasters has 180 at their event.

“This year, we are only having 110. Some we didn’t invite back.”

Barnes said he is concerned not only with the quality of the goods offered, but also with the attitude and behavior of vendors.

“If they were rude, they didn’t get invited back,” he said, adding that there are a number of vendors with products for women.

Set for the Kiwanis Community Center and Covington Center Arena on Fri., Sat. and Sun., June 27, 28 and 29, the event drew thousands here last year.

“We were 87 short of having 5,000 people in just two days, with a huge storm on Friday last year,” Barnes said. “If it’s not the biggest event, it’s one of the biggest events ever in Covington County.”

Headlining the show this year are Jeromy and David of the hit television Series The Swamp People. They will appear both Saturday and Sunday, and have autograph sessions scheduled.

Perhaps even more entertaining will be Gary and Jana Saurage of Gator Country in Texas, Barnes said.

The Saurages have appeared on CMT, Animal Planet, Bravo and A&E.

Barnes said those in attendance will have an opportunity to get up close to the traveling reptiles.

Expert marksman Byron Ferguson, who shoots a longbow, also will do shows each day.

“He’s the last guy on the planet who shoots a longbow like Robin Hood,” Barnes said.

Tim Bradley will be back as an exhibition shooter for Benelli, and will perform on Saturday and Sunday.

Barnes said he has traveled the country attending similar shows.

“We are the only show in whole Southeast, where you can come and test products on site,” he said. As a result, the show pulls people from a number of different states.

Barnes said the event is not just about hunting.

“It has to do with getting families out there, hunting, fishing, canoeing, etc.,” he said. “We wanted our show to be interactive.”

In addition to opportunities to shoot, the show will include indoor archery tournaments for men, women and kids, and a gun giveaway each day.

For a complete schedule, visit the show’s website at http://covingtonsportsmansexpo.com.