INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Indiana Governor Mike Pence has officially proclaimed January 24-30, 2016 as “School Choice Week” in Indiana. Governor Pence joins thirty other governors and 230 mayors and county leaders nationwide in issuing proclamations.

With more than 400 events being held to celebrate the Week in Indiana alone – and with more than 16,000 independently organized events across all 50 states – National School Choice Week will be America’s largest-ever celebration of opportunity in education. Events will include rallies, round-table discussions, coffeehouse meet-ups, festivals, school fairs, and more.

As a nonpartisan, nonpolitical public awareness effort, National School Choice Week seeks to raise public awareness about school choice to start tens of thousands of individual conversations across our country about the need for, and benefits of, educational opportunity.

“We are grateful for Governor Pence’s recognition of School Choice Week in Indiana,” said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. “The growth in enthusiasm surrounding National School Choice Week demonstrates that Americans in communities across the country recognize, more than ever before, the importance of ensuring that all children have the opportunity to learn and to pursue their own American dreams.”

Held every January, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort designed to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options for every child. Through thousands of independently planned events across the country, National School Choice Week raises public awareness of all types of educational choices available to children. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, online learning, private schools, and homeschooling.

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For more information, visit www.schoolchoiceweek.com, or visit www.facebook.com/schoolchoiceweek.

COUNTRY STAR MARK WILLS TO PERFORM SPECIAL CONCERT ON FRIDAY, JAN. 29 AT 8:00PM

LOUISVILLE, KY (January 14, 2016) – The third annual Louisville Deer & Turkey Expo will return to the Kentucky State Fairgrounds from Jan. 29-31, 2016, it was announced today by Jake Steingraeber, Deer & Turkey Expo’s executive director.  A bolstered exhibitor variety, hands-on activities and the expanded series of deer hunting focused seminars from experts in the deer hunting world such as Grant Woods, highlight the three-day event.  Country music star and avid deer hunter Mark Wills will perform a special concert on Friday, Jan. 29 from 8:00pm – 9:00pm.

In conjunction with the Expo, QDMA will hold its national convention side-by-side.  The popular and fun “QDMA Hunter Games” will be brought for all attendees to enjoy.  QDMA Hunter Games will involve multiple age groups competing in mini activities that revolve around hunting and outdoor skills.

“Last year’s Louisville Deer & Turkey Expo drew attendees from Kentucky, Indiana, Southern Illinois and Southwest Ohio, of which 97 percent were whitetail deer hunting enthusiasts,” said Steingraeber.  “The QDMA convention typically draws highly engaged members from across the US at its annual convention. The alignment of these two distinct attendee bases will provide a great opportunity for hunters to connect with outdoor brands.”

Hundreds of hunting exhibitors and outfitter booths will be available for deer and turkey enthusiasts. Seminars will be held all three days and will feature hunters who have dedicated time and energy to provide cutting edge information.  Many topics will be covered including habitat management, food plots, a wide variety of deer and turkey hunting techniques, plus hunting for sheds with dogs and do-it-yourself venison processing and more.

Bass Pro Shops is bringing their one of a kind big-rig trailer stuffed full of some of the world’s largest deer ever harvested, to present The King of Bucks trophy display.  New products will have a specialty display area and dozens of door prizes will be giveaway with drawings daily. As a bonus, a free one-year subscription to either magazine is included with paid admission.

Chainsaw carving demonstrations will be held daily by Mike Brownfield, along with flint knapping in a primitive weapons and tools display.  A Wild Mushroom Hunting Info Center is available to Expo attendees to answer questions about mushrooms, hosted by Tom Nauman of Morel Mania, Inc. Additionally, world famous archer Byron Ferguson will be performing his archery trick shooting show throughout the weekend.

Other key event highlights include the shed antler contest and the trophy deer contest where entries can be officially scored and displayed for all to see.  Wall of fame entries with a 150+ inch whitetail mount previously scored can also be put on display for the weekend and will receive a free Expo pass if brought between 10:00am-1:00pm on Friday.  A bow hunting 3D simulation challenge, archery, airgun, hoverball and bowfishing ranges are open to attendees.  An outdoor film and festival tour will be hosted on-site, showcasing new short films.

The expo opens Friday, January 29, at 2:00 pm and closes Sunday, January 31 at 4:00 pm.  Daily hours are:  Friday,2:00 pm – 8:00 pm; Saturday, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm, and Sunday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.  Country music concert is Friday, 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

Registration is open for exhibitors and convention attendees.  In addition, advance ticket sales for attendees is now open.  As a bonus, a free one-year subscription to Field & Stream or Outdoor Life is included with paid admission.

For advance ticket purchase information and all expo details, go to www.deerinfo.com/Louisville and click on Tickets.  Advance tickets are available for adult and youth tickets only and include a $3 discount. All other tickets must be purchased at the door.

The Louisville Expo is sponsored by Dick CEPEK Tires & Wheels, Remington, Lucas Oil and Yamaha.