Spring will be here before we know it, and the Spokane Great Outdoors and Bike Expo at the Spokane Convention Center on Feb 22-23 is the Inland Northwest’s kickoff to the spring and summer outdoor season. The event includes over 70 vendors including bike and gear shops, zipline companies, bike parks, travel destinations, outdoor clubs and agencies, hourly gear prize giveaways, and plenty of clinics and activities for kids and adults. If you’re thinking about a new mountain bike, e-bike, or road or around-town bike this spring, the Expo is the place to test ride bikes indoors and ask local shop staff all your questions in one place.
Tons of Outdoors Fun Inside for Kids & Families
The Expo is a treat for kids and parents too; there’s a game area, kid-friendly bouldering wall, s’more making, kids demo bikes, bear and wildlife display, hands-on fossil exhibit, storytelling, and a Kids Adventure Passport where kids get a free bag with prizes for visiting all of the kids’ activities (while they last). All kids under age 12 get in for free too. As an added bonus, all tickets purchased early online are $2 off and come with a free outdoor adventure giveaway from Wild Walls, Fun Unlimited, Silver Mountain Bike Park, or Timberline Adventures that are valued at up to $30 (while they last). Get your tickets online now to score this awesome giveaway and save $2 on each ticket. Tickets also get access to the Spokane Golf Show.
Free Clinics, Presentations, & Activities (with admission)
SATURDAY, February 22
9 AM: Free Camp Coffee. Join REI in the Campground central camp-themed gathering area for a cup of camp coffee.
10 AM: Great Gear Giveaway Drawing. Enter at the Out There Outdoors booth for a chance to win thousands of dollars in outdoor gear prizes!
10:15 Flat Fix Face-off. Ever struggle to patch a flat bike tire out on the trail? Watch two pros from local bike shops face off to fix a bike tire flat as fast as they can. And get a chance to win prizes just for watching!
11 AM-4 PM: Free S’mores in the REI Campground. Roast one of your favorite camp treats on an indoor “campfire.”
11 AM: Great Gear Giveaway Drawing. Enter at the Out There Outdoors booth for a chance to win thousands of dollars in outdoor gear prizes!
11:10-11:35: Outdoor-Themed Story Reading & Puppet Show. Four-time award-winning author, Joseph Drumheller, will be giving an outdoor-themed presentation for kids 4-8, including book readings and an interactive puppet show.
11: 40 AM: Camp knots. Knowing the right knots can make your next outdoor adventure more fun and enjoyable!
12 PM: Great Gear Giveaway Drawing. Enter at the Out There Outdoors booth for a chance to win thousands of dollars in outdoor gear prizes!
12:40 PM: Backcountry cooking. Check out the latest camp cooking gear and learn how to create culinary delights in the backcountry.
1 PM: Great Gear Giveaway Drawing. Enter at the Out There Outdoors booth for a chance to win thousands of dollars in outdoor gear prizes!
1:10-1:50 PM: Respectful and Ethical Wildlife Photos and Photography.
When not working with wildlife, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologist Candace Bennett is photographing it. In this seminar, she will provide tips on how to get good shots, recommend basic photography equipment and settings, and settings you can use on your phone to get great photos and not disturb the animals. She will also address the ethical aspect of wildlife photography. There have been many cases of either animals or humans being injured or killed when people get too close to take photos. Candace will talk about some general guidelines for keeping yourself and the animals you are photographing safe, as well as signals that an animal may be stressed.
1:40 PM: Water treatment. Stay hydrated out there. Try different water filters and learn how to use them properly.
2 PM: Great Gear Giveaway Drawing. Enter at the Out There Outdoors booth for a chance to win thousands of dollars in outdoor gear prizes!
2:10-2:30 PM: Using Bear Spray the Right Way. Learn why bear spray has failed to work in some instances and how other people here in the Northwest have used bear spray to effectively protect themselves. Be Bear Aware will show you how to properly use your bear spray for maximum effectiveness in case you run into an agitated charging bear while out hiking, camping, or biking.
2:40 PM: Hammocking 101. Learn how to use the best hammock gear and to set a hammock up the right way.
3 PM: Great Gear Giveaway Drawing. Enter at the Out There Outdoors booth for a chance to win thousands of dollars in outdoor gear prizes!
3:10-3:35 PM: Outdoor-Themed Story Reading & Puppet Show. Four-time award-winning author, Joseph Drumheller, will be giving an outdoor-themed presentation for kids 4-8, including book readings and an interactive puppet show.
4 PM: Great Gear Giveaway Drawing. Enter at the Out There Outdoors booth for a chance to win thousands of dollars in outdoor gear prizes!
4:15 PM: Tent Pitching Contest sponsored by Big Agnes. Putting up a tent after a long drive or hike to a favorite campsite can test even the best relationship. Watch two couples face-off to pitch a Big Agnes tent as fast as they can. And the winners take home a Big Agnes tent! To enter, email us at info@outtheremonthly.com with “Tent Pitching Contest” in the subject line and tell us why you should be one of the couples in this contest.
4:50 PM: Great Gear Giveaway Grand Prize Drawing. Enter at the Out There Outdoors booth for a chance to win one of our grand prizes!
SUNDAY, February 23
10 AM: Free Camp Coffee. Join REI in the Campground central camp-themed gathering area for a cup of camp coffee.
10:10-10:55 AM: Wildlife Safety: Play Smart in Bear & Cougar Country. While bears and cougars are like every other wild animal and mostly make themselves scarce in the presence of humans, there are some steps to avoid having negative interactions with them when recreating in nature. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Annemarie Prince will draw from her training and extensive time in the woods to share how to avoid running into predators, what to do if you do, and dispel some common misconceptions about bears and cougars in our areas. She will also talk about correct use of bear spray for the safety of all involved.
11 AM-3 PM: Free S’mores in the REI Campground. Roast one of your favorite camp treats on an indoor “campfire.”
11 AM: Great Gear Giveaway Drawing. Enter at the Out There Outdoors booth for a chance to win thousands of dollars in outdoor gear prizes!
11:10-11:35: Outdoor-Themed Story Reading & Puppet Show. Four-time award-winning author, Joseph Drumheller, will be giving an outdoor-themed presentation for kids 4-8, including book readings and an interactive puppet show.
11:40 AM: Bike Packing Basics. Learn how to prepare and pack for a camping trip with your bike!
12 PM: Great Gear Giveaway Drawing. Enter at the Out There Outdoors booth for a chance to win thousands of dollars in outdoor gear prizes!
12:40 PM: Navigation Basics. Don’t get lost in the great outdoors. This clinic will show you how to get where you want to go in the mountains.
1 PM: Great Gear Giveaway Drawing. Enter at the Out There Outdoors booth for a chance to win thousands of dollars in outdoor gear prizes!
1:10-1:30 PM: Using Bear Spray the Right Way. Learn why bear spray has failed to work in some instances and how other people here in the Northwest have used bear spray to effectively protect themselves. Be Bear Aware will show you how to properly use your bear spray for maximum effectiveness in case you run into an agitated charging bear while out hiking, camping, or biking.
1:40 PM: How to Fix a Bike Tire Flat. This basic flat-fixing clinic may keep you from getting stranded with your bike miles from home.
2 PM: Great Gear Giveaway Drawing. Enter at the Out There Outdoors booth for a chance to win thousands of dollars in outdoor gear prizes!
3 PM: Outdoor Dog Fashion Show. Celebrate our canine outdoor friends at our Northwest-style dog show with a focus on outdoor gear, tricks, and outdoorsy flair.
3:50 PM: Great Gear Giveaway Grand Prize Drawing. Enter at the Out There Outdoors booth for a chance to win one of our grand prizes!
Find event info at Spokaneoutdoorexpo.com.
