MARION - For those who love to boat and fish, the 11th Annual Southern Illinois Boat & Fishing Show held at The Pavilion over the weekend was the place to be.
Anglers, boaters, and campers could check out a wide array of pontoon and bass boats, fishing poles, and fishing tackle from vendors from all over the Midwest.
Some were there to purchase that boat they've been eyeing all winter and many more were just window shopping.
Robert and Trisha Bourban drove down from Roxana for the event and were bass boat shopping.
"I fish all the area lakes down here," Robert Bourban said, adding that he would be buying a 20-foot boat before spring.
The Bourbans had plenty to choose from with over 60 vendors filling all the available spaces for this year's show. It marked the first time that all vendor spaces had been filled.
Austin Moore, 8, of Marion, was also eyeing bass boats with his uncle, Josh Gossage, of Johnston City. Gossage called Austin "My fishing buddy." Asked what they normally fish for, young Austin answered, "Bass. I once caught one that weighed four pounds."
His uncle nodded his head, "Yes, the boy can fish!"
Cassandra Lessar of Tamms was there with daughter, Sarah, 4, and the pair seemed to be having fun checking out pontoon boats together.
The elder Lessar said that she fishes Cedar and Crab Orchard Lakes a lot.
"We try to come to this show every year," she said. "I enjoy looking at all the boats and the fishing tackle."
