The first-ever Clark Hill Outdoor Expo will take place Saturday, May 30, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the American Legion Fairgrounds off of the Augusta Highway.

The event is being sponsored by Lincoln County Family Connection, the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, and the Lincoln County Development Authority.

The purpose of the expo is to celebrate Lincoln County as an outdoorsman's paradise that offers hunting, fishing, boating, camping, golfing, four-wheeling, and a host of other activities year-round.

The expo will include:

.. Exhibitions featuring tractors, campers, motor homes, bicycles, boats, catamarans, jet skis, fourwheelers, and golf carts.

Among the vendors that will be at the fairgrounds Saturday are CSRA Camperland, Blanchard Equipment, Chain Reaction, Aiken Motorcycle Sales, Summit Green Solutions, BLevel Concrete, Lincolnton Marine, PBF Catamaran Sales, and Custom Carts, Inc.

.. An open car, truck, motorcycle, and antique tractor show. All of the makes and models of vehicles on display will cause visitors to dream and/ or reminisce of days gone by.

The top 20 will be recognized by popular vote.

.. J. Todd Tucker, a professional angler and outdoorsman, will be present for a portion of the festivities.

Tucker has been featured in "Bass Times," "Bassmaster Magazine," "Georgia Outdoor News," and on CNN as an expert source. He has also appeared on Wayne Person's "Ultimate Sports Challenge" on ESPN; "Spectrum Outdoors," with Daryle Singletary; and in regional television news spots.

A native of Moultrie, Georgia, Tucker is sponsored by the Clark's Hill Partnership of Georgia

Comprised of Lincoln, Columbia, McDuffie, Warren, and Wilkes counties, the partnership was formed to foster economic development in the region.

.. Arts and crafts. Visitors will enjoy viewing platter art, handcrafted dulcimers, collegiate apparel, leather goods, trendy as well as traditional jewelry, purses, wallets, wreaths, wooden crafts, homemade candles, bird houses, car tags, flags, rag quilts, original paintings, etched glass, and bath salts.

.. An abundance of mouth-watering treats such as funnel cakes, fried Oreos, homemade ice cream, barbecue and hash, homemade fried pies, hot dogs, sausage dogs, hamburgers, and Hawaiian Shaved Ice treats.

.. An inflatable playground. Children may play all day for only $5.

.. A golf challenge for adults — an 80-yard "closest to the pin" golf shot. The cost is three balls for $5, with clubs and gloves provided.

Serving as co-chairman of the expo are Nancy Blount, executive director of Lincoln County Family Connection, and Doug Newman, a member of the Family Connection Executive Board.

"We are ecstatic to host an event of this nature and to have this opportunity to promote Lincoln County," said Blount. "Lincoln County has something to offer people of all ages — it is a great community in which to live as well as visit. Over 200,000 cars passed through the gates of Elijah Clark State Park in 2008, while the Cherokee Day-Use Recreation Area was utilized by an average of 180,000 cars over the last five years.

"On many occasions, while having dinner in a local restaurant or visiting an area business, I have stopped and talked with individuals from all over the United States," she continued. "Lincoln County is well known by outdoorsmen — our lake and acres of land for hunting are two of our most valuable assets."

In other comments, Blount said, "There is no way Doug and I could have coordinated and promoted an event of this nature without the guidance and assistance of Jeannie Buttrum, regional representative for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and Beda Johnson, executive director of the Columbia County Convention and Visitors Bureau. They have paved the way for this endeavor by helping us make the appropriate contacts and connections.

"The expo also could not have been possible without the support of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners and the Lincoln County Development Authority. A special thankyou is likewise in store for Representative Lee Anderson and Senator Bill Jackson."

Admission to the Clark Hill Outdoor Expo is $1, with all proceeds benefiting the Lincoln County Family Connection Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy.

Regardless of income, each child registered with the foundation receives a book by mail every month until his fifth birthday. If a child is registered at birth, he may possibly amass up to 60 free books for his personal library.

In addition, the program offers parents materials that deal with the importance of reading to their child as well as monthly tips on how to maximize the educational potential of the books.

The annual cost of the program is approximately $20,000. The initiative is funded by $5,000 from the Lincoln County Board of Education and monies raised by Family Connection.

The foundation is affiliated with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

"Promoting literacy in Lincoln County is one of Family Connection's goals," explained Executive Director Blount. "We hope local residents will come to the American Legion Fairgrounds Saturday and enjoy all of the activities at the expo, while support- ing childhood literacy. It promises to be a fun day for all."

For more information about the Clark Hill Outdoor Expo, contact the Family Connection office at 706-359- 5769.

Lincoln County Family Connection strives to improve early childhood learning for every child, regardless of income, race, religion, or gender, with the philosophy that any child who cannot read is at risk. The mission of the agency is to provide children with age appropriate books and to stress to parents that reading to their children at an early age is a key component of future success.