The Journal Gazette, 600 W. Main St., Fort Wayne IN

This is not quite the old Sports, Vacation and Boat Show on steroids. To David Marquart, it’s more the Sports, Vacation and Boat Show evolved.

“It has all the aspects that the old show used to have – the fishing, hunting, boats and RVs – but it’s also getting more into the lifestyle and log cabins and lakefront homes,” says Marquart, co-owner of Coliseum Productions and director of operations for the Fort Wayne Outdoor Sports, Lake & Cabin Show, which will come to Memorial Coliseum on Friday.

Consider it both a revamped version of its 50-year-old predecessor and something of an homage as well.

“I think the old show kind of ran its course,” Marquart said.

“I’m from Fort Wayne, and I actually worked on that show as a kid. It really was quite a show in its day, and I think it went years and years without anything new and different.”

You can’t say that about the Outdoor Sports, Lake & Cabin Show.

For instance: This show will not just have a rock-climbing wall for the kids. It’s going to have a rock-climbing wall.

“It’s basically a semitrailer standing on end that goes all the way to the ceiling,” Marquart says.

There will also be a 3-D archery simulator with moving targets (“You can bring your own bow or we’ll provide one,” Marquart says), a fly-fishing pond (“A pro will be there all day giving lessons”), seminars and hundreds of exhibitors divided into six specialty areas:

•RV and motor sports

•Boats and water sports

•Hunting and fishing

•Log cabin and cottage living

•Vacation and travel

•Biking, hiking, camping and fitness

All visitors to the show will receive $10 in Gander Bucks from Gander Mountain, coupons from Dick’s Sporting Goods and a free copy of Northern Indiana Lakes magazine.

“We’re definitely making sure people leave feeling they got their money’s worth,” said Marquart, who began working in the show business when he was a student at IPFW and employed by Balser Rentals.

“One of the things I’ve learned in 25 years is you never want to send people away thinking they didn’t get their money’s worth.”

This latest venture came together, he said, because of a convergence of circumstances: The fact that the Sports, Vacation & Boat Show had closed shop, combined with Marquart’s local familiarity with it, combined with a business partner who owned several log-home-and-timber-frame shows that had “kind of run its course itself.”

He and his partner took a log-home-and-timber-frame pavilion to the Cleveland Sports Show a couple of weeks ago, but this will be their first show of their own.

Others are slated for Indianapolis and Salt Lake City in October.

“It’s in your blood, and it’s something I’ve always done,” Marquart says.

Though never quite like this.

bensmith@jg.net