For boaters, anglers, and lovers of the great outdoors, the 2018 Tampa Outdoors Expo and Boat Show will be a big event on the spring calendar. After a long run at the Florida State Fairgrounds, this year's event has a new home. The 27th annual show will be held Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25 at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Fittingly for the Outdoors Expo and Boat Show's new home, the host for this year's event will be former Buccaneer Dave Moore. A fan favorite and avid fisherman who once caught a 250-pound grouper in the Gulf of Mexico, Moore played 13 seasons for the Bucs as a tight end and long snapper, and is currently an analyst for the Buccaneer Radio Network. There will also be appearances by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders, other former players, and Captain Fear.

The Tampa Outdoors Expo and Boat Show is fun for the whole family! You can peruse 100,000 square feet of outdoor exhibits, 30,000 more square feet indoors on the West Club level, and another 20,000 feet of activities on and near the football field. There will be over 20 boat dealers and plenty of exhibitors showing off their wares, with special show pricing on many items if you're in the market for new gear. Daily seminars on freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, fly fishing, boating, and kayaking (among others) from renowned outdoorsmen will help you stay sharp on the water. Kids can also visit the new Buccaneers Kids Zone for some outdoor fun of their own.

If those aren't enough incentives to get you to the Outdoors Expo and Boat Show, how about hourly raffle prizes? You could win a pair of Costa sunglasses, a fishing charter, a weekend stay at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, and much more!

Admission to the 2018 Tampa Outdoors Expo and Boat Show is just $5, and parking at Raymond James Stadium is free! The show runs from 10:00 a.m - 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, and from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 25. Bring the whole family and get ready for fun in the great outdoors this spring!

There are always plenty of things to do in Tampa! Check out 813area.com to find the biggest events, plus the best ways to get out and be active. While you're here, sign up for free email updates on the latest happenings.

Photo courtesy of PXHere.com.