POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Organizers of the annual Shootin' for St. Jude Archery Shoot are busy making final plans for the eighth annual event and promise it will be as big as ever.
"Last year was so big, and we're on tap to do the same this year. We're expecting it to be bigger and better," said Poplar Bluff St. Jude Heroes team captain Miranda Fickert, whose group joins the local Indian Creek Bowhunters organization to host the event.
This year's fundraising shoot will take place over two days, Aug. 10-11.
A Friday night VIP party at the Black River Coliseum will kick off the fun, Fickert said, and it will feature plenty of games, raffles and both silent and live auctions. A steak dinner from Karon Campbell's Tasteful Creations also will be served.
"We're expecting about 150 items on the silent auction," noted Fickert, "and the live auction will be chock full of some really cool stuff."
Some items include Wyoming mule deer and antelope hunts, a Traeger grill, a thermal-imaging hog hunt, an off-shore fishing trip and more.
New this year will be a children's table, and several firearms and bows will be given away as well.
Several outdoor television personalities will be on hand for the event, including those from "Headhunters TV," "Trained Assassins TV," "Dog Bone," "Whitetail Freaks," "Inside Outdoors," "The Break" and "Drury Outdoors' Bow Madness."
Those personalities also will compete in a tricycle race, with a new twist this year.
Tickets to the VIP party are selling fast, she said, and if you want to go, she suggests calling her or going online to www.eventbrite.com to check on availability. The tickets cost $35 per person, or you can reserve a table for eight for $350.
Saturday's archery shoot will kick off at 8 a.m. at the Missouri Department of Conservation range off County Road 546, just north of Poplar Bluff.
The cost to shoot the 20-target course will be $15, Fickert said.
Parking will be in the gravel lot and along the county road in both directions from the range, and a shuttle service will be available for those who don't want to walk.
As in the past, several novelty shoots will be offered, including the popular "thread the needle," a "water shot" where you can compete against a television personality and long shot, worth $500 to anyone who hits the target.
Two introductory archery clinics for children will be offered, at 11 a.m. and again at noon, while Dog Bone's Jeremy Moore will give demonstrations with his finely-tuned dogs.
A large silent auction also will be set up on site, with even more items to win.
As always, concessions will be available on-site.
Last year's event, Fickert said, raised "almost $100,000" for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and this year, organizers have set a goal of $120,000.
We're still looking for sponsors, donors and volunteers," Fickert said. "If you want to help, come on out and we'll put you to work."
To buy tickets, call Fickert at 573-718-2875, and for information on the Indian Creek Bowhunters, call Brad Massey at 573-785-0647 or Tony Harwell at 573-718-7135.