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The Kiwanis Club of Andalusia had a successful showing at the first All-Sports Expo in 2021 and is busy making preparations now for the second event Saturday, March 12.

The event will take place at the Kiwanis Community Center and Covington Arena.

The Kiwanis Club of Andalusia brings in various events, which are managed by individuals specializing or possibly operating a business in their particular field.

“With the COVID issues, the Kiwanis Club’s county fair did not raise the kind of funds we need to meet our goal of contributions to area programs. We came up with the idea of a sports-themed expo. Those who attend pay one price and participate in all the events and ride all the carnival rides. We also have the Monster Truck show returning, but that costs extra,” Kiwanis Club CCF Chairman Don Cotton said.

Indoor display booths and outside vendor tents are available. Most activities from the inaugural event will return this year, along with a few additions.

Those activities include skeet shooting, axe throwing, archery, casting, corn hole toss, and hot air balloon rides. The James Gang Carnival will be on hand with rides, and there will also be monster truck shows. Vendors will be on hand for arts and crafts, which also includes a classic cars chainsaw sculpture artist. New this year will be a petting zoo as well as pony and buggy rides.

The Kiwanis Club has set a goal of $50,000 for proceeds to make at this year’s All-Sports Expo.

“With the proceeds, we support area programs that help children. Some of those include Community Christmas, LBW scholarships, Miracle League, the Full Tummy Project, the Children’s Policy Council, and Covington County Child Advocacy Center. We also give to students involved with Troy University’s Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership, PAWS, Sav-a-Life, Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Lower Alabama Arts Coalition, and Habitat for Humanity,” he said.

Gates will open Saturday, March 12, at 9 a.m. Admission is $15 for 12 years and up and $5 for those under 12. One ticket is good all day. Ticket prices do not include entry to the monster truck show.

Organizations sponsors investing in the event are Andalusia Tire Company, Gitty Up and Go, Southern Equipment Company, Andalusia Health, Pugh and Son, David’s Catfish, Bury the Hatchet, SunSouth Carolina Mill Work and Truss, Sheriff Blake Turman, Covington Electric Coop, First South Farm Credit, Southeast Gas, and Abram Homes.

“Nearly 6,000 attended last year’s event from all over south Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. We hope this year is bigger and better,” Cotton said.