Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine

Deerassic Classic set for 6th annual event

By Larry Claypool

CAMBRIDGE, OH — It’s a ‘classic’ already, nearly an ‘instant classic’. And it’s only been six years.
Founder Dean Ziegler had a vision to build a whitetail deer museum in Ohio for several years and helped form a non-profit organization (National Whitetail Deer Education Foundation) in 1996 to see that through. Funds came in slow initially so Ziegler decided to push forward with a major fundraising event, the Deerassic Classic. The first Classic (in 2003) featured a 10,000 ticket raffle drawing.
The fundraising effort was then headed in the right direction, according to Ziegler. And now, it’s an event everyone wants to attend. The tickets sell out too.
The 6th Annual Deerassic Classic and Outdoor Expo is set for Aug. 1-2, 2008 and should be bigger and better. Last year the event netted $360,000 and set a one-day attendance record of 20,000 people.

The $360k profit sounds impressive but this is a vast project that has only completed Phase One of an overall construction project. That first phase included completion of a million-dollar multi-purpose building on the grounds of the 117-acre facility. Currently the building houses the Deerassic Park Education Center and offices for the foundation. The grounds are also home for an impressive herd of whitetail deer that roam free behind one mile of enclosed eight-foot high fence.
For Phase Two and beyond, the Foundation plans to construct the Whitetail Deer Hall of Fame Museum complex near the multi-purpose building. That facility will include a restaurant, gift shops and auditorium. Also, improvements will be made to infrastructure; the in-school education programs throughout Ohio will expand, as will the programs at the Education Center.

Many of the deer mounts and displays to be used in the museum will include a collection of “Ohio’s Greatest Whitetails” that Ziegler amassed over the years. His 35-year collection, dubbed “Ohio Whitetail Spectacular”, has been displayed at shows in every state east of the Mississippi.
Before one footer is poured for the museum though, many more dollars must be raised to complete Ziegler’s dream of having a whitetail deer Hall of Fame Museum in Ohio. Ziegler is not alone in that quest, the NWDEF is operated by a dedicated staff that includes a Board of Directors, an Advisory Board, seven full time employees and many volunteers. There also is an impressive list of corporate sponsors that help fund the Education Center and its programs.

The 2008 Deerassic Classic will again feature 425 prizes in its huge giveaway that includes several trucks, two Harley Davidson motorcycles, ATVs, boats, RVs, vacation trips, guns, bows and cash. Tickets are $100 with drawings to be held August 2. Winners do not have to be present to win. Several other side raffles will be held Friday and Saturday during the event. The Classic boasts the world’s largest 50/50 drawing. Last year’s winner cashed out at $114,334. (That’s not a misprint.)
The event also includes an impressive celebrity lineup of outdoor experts and entertainers. The lineup includes Michael Waddell of Realtree Roadtrips, Lee and Tiffany Lakosky of Gettin’ Close, Russ Thornberry of Buckmasters, Gordon Whttington of North American Whitetail TV, Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo of Archer’s Choice TV, Heath Painter of Game and Gear Adventures, Mike Stroff of Southern Outdoor Experience, Ray Howell of Kicking Bear, Keith “Doc” Ainsley of Doc’s Team Extreme and Joella Bates, five-time world champion archer. Country singer Tracy Lawrence headlines the main stage on Friday and Ruff Creek is the headline act Saturday.
As a way to enhance the outdoor experience, three years ago the Classic added the Outdoor Expo to the two-day event. National and regional companies exhibit their product and services on the Deerassic Park grounds for an impressive outdoor show, according to Ziegler. “After three years, this has turned into a full-blown outdoor show,” said Ziegler of the Outdoor Expo.

Jerry Snapp is the Director of Corporate Relations for the Outdoor Expo. He said exhibitors are carefully selected for the event. It helps if a company has an interactive display for those attending. “We want to keep it as interactive as possible. Last year we had 6-8 different booths where you could test a bow. There’s ATVs to test, and if you want to come and ride a Rhino, you can do that,” said Snapp.
“We’ve got a lot of good products, and you can get some good deals,” added Ziegler.

Beside the push to sell the raffle tickets (most or all of the tickets will be sold before the event opens), Ziegler wants everyone to know that the Classic has much more to offer. I’d like to see more people here. I don’t think people realize what type of show Deerassic is now, and that we’ve expanded this. There’s no other show like we have,” said Ziegler.
Visitors do not need a $100 raffle ticket to attend the Classic or the Outdoor Expo. For one price ($20) on Friday (for those who do not have a $100 ticket), admission includes the Outdoor Expo, all of the free demonstrations by outdoor celebrities and a concert by Tracy Lawrence. There will be several other side raffles that anyone can participate in. On Saturday the cost is $30 to enter the grounds but also includes free food and soft drinks all day. The Ruff Creek concert is free, as is the Expo, all-day demonstrations and fireworks in the evening.

New this year will be a Texas Hold’em Championship at 7 p.m. on Thursday. The cost to buy-in is $250. There is a limit of 200 players. The top prize is $12,000. Proceeds benefit the Friends of Salt Fork State Park. Contact Dan Titko at 740-432-2088 to pre-register.
Ziegler and Snapp said they’re looking forward to this year’s event. “It will be the best ever,” said Ziegler.
Snapp said if there’s ever any negative feedback he gets on the Classic it’s why don’t they allow children under the age of 18 into the event. “I’ve read on message boards that we don’t like kids, that’s why. That’s further from the truth. We have kids in here all year. We have educational programs for kids all year, we’re doing this to benefit kids,” said Snapp. “It’s just for what we’re doing with all the raffles and the slew of people we have here, it’s just no place for kids.”
For additional information on the Deerassic Park Education Center, National Whitetail Deer Education Foundation, the Deerassic Classic or to order raffle tickets call 740-435-9500 or visit the website at www.deerassic.com.

The Deerassic Park Education Center is located near Salt Fork State Park in Cambridge, Ohio.