CHICAGO -- The 80th annual Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show docks Jan. 13 to 17 at McCormick Place, offering a large selection of boats, RV’s and marine accessories in the Midwest from top manufacturers at the best deals of the year.
Several new features have been added to this year's show, including:

* Adopt-a-Dog – An outdoors person and their trusty dog companion, what’s better than that? How about a family and their newly adopted pet! Visit the Adopt-a Dog Center and go home with a furry new friend. Sponsored by the Animal Care League, staff will be onsite on Friday, Jan. 16 and 17.
* Antique boat and motor display – Premiering at this year’s show is the antique boat and motor display – a must see for boating and fishing enthusiasts. The exhibit, presented by both the Blackhawk Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society of America and the Motor Heads of Illinois, will highlight one of the premier antique boat and motor collections in the world.
* DockDogs – You’ve seen it on ESPN and the Outdoor Channel, now see it in person. Watch canine athletes run down a 40-foot dock and jump into a 40-foot long pool of water to compete in Big Air (long jump), Extreme Vertical (high jump) and Speed Retrieve (fastest dog to the end of the pool) competitions. An event like no other, DockDogs is sure to make a big splash at the show.
* Historical Fishing Display – You won't want to miss the "evolution of fishing in America" exhibit, presented by Dan Basore and his world renowned Historical Fishing Display. Dan will be on hand all five days to discuss the equipment he's displaying and to rate fishing gear you may have found in your basement.
* Pirates of Colonial America – Premiering at this year’s show is an interactive exhibit offering show visitors the opportunity to step in to the life of a colonial American pirate. Both children and adults can enjoy viewing and learning about featured 19th century replicated pirate artifacts, including historical documents, buried treasure and period shops.
* Pre-Show Shopping – Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show’s newest online offering allows attendees to pre-shop the 2010 show for the greatest deals on the newest boats by visiting www.ChicagoBoatShow.com. Show goers can plan ahead and search boats by brand, model and more, in addition to scheduling dealer appointments.
* SpongeBob SquarePants – Straight from Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob SquarePants will visit this year’s show Jan. 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to meet and greet fans.
* Affordability Pavilion – Think owning a boat is out of your reach? Think again! When it comes to enjoyable ways to spend your leisure time, boating is far more affordable than you may realize. Returning to this year’s show is the very popular Affordability Pavilion. This featured area will showcase boats for those with smaller budgets, highlighting pricing options and boats that visitors can finance for $250 or less per month.
* Huck Finn Trout Pond – Free fishing for kids 12 and under at the Huck Finn Trout Pond. Stocked with fresh frisky fighting trout, kids can let loose at the Huck Finn Trout Pond while experts help them make their next big catch. And to make it even more exciting, several young anglers will win great prizes if they’re lucky enough to catch a tagged trout. Be sure to bring the camera to catch the moment when your little one reels in a big one.
* Miss GEICO – Miss GEICO, the world’s fastest offshore racing boat, powered with the same turbine engines that flew missions in the first Gulf War and is capable of reaching speeds of more than 185 mph. Measuring 40 feet in length and weighing 10,000 lbs, this MTI turbine race boat is run by a crew of six, including driver Marc Granet. The boat set two world records and participated in more than 15 races around the world in 2007. In October 2007, Miss GEICO shattered another milestone when she hit an average top speed of 188.26 mph on the Mississippi River.
* Shedd Aquarium’s Listen To Your Lakes Space – Whether boating, fishing, camping, or anything in between – invasive animals and plants are looking for a free ride into the Great Lakes. Discover how to stop the spread and figure out where invasive hide on your recreational gear. See native Great Lakes animals up close and take home prizes, discounted coupons and lots of helpful information on how to help keep the Great Lakes, great! Learn more about Shedd Aquarium, the Great Lakes and what you can do at www.ListenToYourLakes.org.
* Wakeboard & Waterski Clinic – Watch as the pros demonstrate the latest techniques and stunts in wakeboarding and waterskiing on the trampoline, sponsored Munson Ski & Marine. Saturday and Sunday only.

For an entire list of show features, visit www.ChicagoBoatShow.com.

Exciting daily show giveaways include:

* Jan. 14 -- Cabela’s Day -- First 500 adults to enter the show receive a free utility knife, compliments of Cabela’s
* Jan. 15 -- Pirate’s Day -- First 200 children (12 and under) to enter the show receive a free pirate eye-patch and kaleidoscope
* Jan. 16 -- Shedd Aquarium Day -- First 200 adults to enter the show receive a free ‘Listen To Your Lakes’ shammy, compliments of the Shedd Aquarium
* The Loop 97.9 Regal Boat Giveaway: Show visitors can enter for a chance to win a Regal boat, sponsored by The Loop 97.9, Regal Boats, Munson Marine and Jerry's Marine. Boat prize valued at $37,000.
* The Great Yamaha Waverunner Giveaway: Yamaha gives visitors the opportunity to win two (2) VX Cruiser Waverunners with a tandem Shorland'r trailer, donated by Nielsen Marine and Yamaha., Prize package is valued at more than $19,400.
* Munson Ski & Marine Watersports Package .
* $50 Gift Certificate – Boating Education Class donated by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
* One Night Stay at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
* Ultimate Camping Package, donated by Cabela’s

Visit www.ChicagoBoatShow.com for additional giveaway details. Visitors can enter to win these prize packages by completing an entry form at ChicagoBoatShow.com or at the show by visiting the enter-to-win computer kiosks

Show hours

Jan. 13 --  2 to 9 p.m.

Jan. 14 and 15 -- 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Jan. 16 -- 10 a.m to 9 p.m.

Jan. 17 -- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults and $4 for youth ages 13 to 15.  Children 12 and under are admitted free.  People who buy tickets online can purchase four tickets for the price of three.  Seniors 65 and older receive a $2 discount Jan. 13 and 14 only.

The show is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). NMMA represents the $33.6 billion per year recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in North America. For more information about NMMA, visit www.NMMA.org.

SOURCE: Chicago Boat, RV and Outdoors Show press release