Howell's First Outdoor Expo Will Get You Into The Sporting Life

HOWELL, NJ — Howell's first Outdoor Expo is Sunday, Aug. 6, offering visitors a hands-on experience with "nature-related" sports and recreation, the township says.

And it makes sense that the expo is in Howell. The township is the largest in area in the county with lots of open space, offering recreational activities on its lakes, playing fields and now even an archery range.

"This is the first time we are having an event like this," said Steven Fecher, the township's director of Community Relations.

And he said the Outdoor Expo will present hands-on activities, as well as information about general types of recreation.

The manager of the Howell Department of Public Works said that the idea for the expo started on Earth Day. Paul Novello said he wanted to arrange a kayaking demonstration but the water was still cold, so the concept of a warmer weather expo came about.

And he helped marshal a variety of participants for this event.

The expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the hours of the Howell Farmers Market, both at Alfred C. Sauer Park at Echo Lake at 1225 Maxim–Southard Road, Howell, 07731.

The farmers market will continue as normal and visitors can attend both events.

Joan Osborne, a volunteer with the farmers market association, said the Outdoor Expo is a great way to "get people out to go to one or the other event" - or maybe both, she said, referring to the farmers market that will go on simultaneously.

She and Novello outlined some of the participants and activities:

There will be kayaking at the far side of the lake at the kayak launch, Osborne said. Novello noted Howell now has three kayak launches at Echo Lake, Sparrow and Aldrich lakes. He said Jersey Paddle will handle the kayaking.

Novello, who with his department made the public archery range a reality, said archery participation by United Bowhunters of New Jersey is also planned.

The range, located at the end of Bass Place, opened June 3 and came about from a partnership between Howell and the United Bowhunters of New Jersey. You can read more about the archery range here.

Osborne said there will be fly-fishing and fly-tying demonstrations too, with the Atlantic Saltwater Fly Rodders organization in attendance.

B3 Bicycles of Howell and Eastern Mountain Sports will also have demonstrations of bikes and backpacking and hiking, respectively, Novello said.

And a veterans fishing group, American Warrior Outdoors, will be on hand to discuss fly fishing, he said. The sport has many benefits for veterans, who often need the camaraderie of others who understand their experience, Novello said.

Novello himself is a 38-year veteran of the Air Force, a Civil Engineer Officer and Civil Engineer Squadron Commander, he said.

Novello also menti0ned that the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association will be on hand to talk about surf fishing - still nearby enough for Howell residents to enjoy, he added. The organization is bringing its Ford Model A Beach Buggy for display, he noted.

Plus there will be educational displays for hunting and fishing by New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Hunter Education, Novello said.

Novello said a niche sport, trap shooting, will be represented, too.

He said the Salomon store's Trap Club on Yellowbrook Road will demonstrate the sport that is growing in popularity. Novello said clay pigeons are used as targets.

Novello said the expo is another example of the Howell philosophy - supported by Township Manager Joe Clark - to take recreation into all areas of sporting life - not just team sports playing fields.

The Outdoor Expo is all part of the "Get out and enjoy Howell" credo for the township, Novello said.