CARTERVILLE, ILLINOIS (WSIL) -- It's no secret that many in our region love to get outdoors, and there's a perfect opportunity to do just that and learn about nature.Â
Hunting and Fishing Days is returning to John A. Logan college after being canceled last year over COVID. This weekend, families and outdoor enthusiasts can learn tips and tricks from demonstrations, shop more than 80 vendors, and enjoy food trucks.Â
Steve O'Keefe, who's Director of Public Relations for the college says, the event usually draws around 30,000 visitors to campus and many will return to find some of their favorite activities.
"The kids fishing hole, goose and duck calling competitions," he explains. "We have local Anglers who have been really successful and they'll do demonstrations at the fishing tank. We just have a lot of people who volunteer their time. Outdoorsmen who volunteer their time to teach particularly young people learn about the outdoors."
Each day, there will be several guest speakers including , who was on the t.v. show 'Naked and Afraid' five times. She's traveled across the world from Louisiana to Ecuador and Africa where she was left with just her survival skills and a camera.Â
Jones can recall her first season in Belize and remaining on the show after her partner got sick just a few days into filming. She left 20 pounds lighter and gained new found confidence.
"I've just done something that nobody gets to do," she remembers. "I didn't know that I was that strong until that moment when I was able to finish."
Discovery Channel's Lacey Jones from the t.v. show 'Naked and Afraid'
Jones, who is from Maine but settled down in Du Quoin plans on focusing her talks on fishing since she's had to reel in her catches from both fresh water and salt water. She's also done day fishing and night fishing with the natural resources like primitive spears.
The t.v. star says she likes to meet fans of the show just as much as those who would rather flip the channel.Â
"I love, love getting to talk to people. I get just as many fans as I do people who are not fans," she adds. "I have quiet a few haters our there but I love talking to them too because we can discuss why things happen and how things happen."
Other guest speakers including Beverly Shofstall putting on a wildlife program, Crappie Fishing with Chet Snyder and a Bassin' seminar with Trey McKinney to name a few.
A new feature this year is a salute to veterans and first responders with patriotic song and a guest appearance by Carterville resident Bill Penrod, who's a 102-year-old World War II vet.Â
"With the anniversary of 9/11 that just passed, our veterans office and some local groups came out and said let's do something to honor first responders and veterans," O'Keefe says. "So we're going to do that this year."
This year, there is a parking fee that costs $5 per car with a portion of the proceeds going to the Sesser Outdoor Club which puts on an event for disabled hunters every year. Or visitors can bring a bag of non-perishable items that will be donated to local food pantries.
Free entry to veterans and first responders on Saturday after 2 p.m.
For more information on Hunting and Fishing Days, .
