KTIV NewsChannel 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and SportsFun for free... as Mother Nature intended

Fun for free... as Mother Nature intended

PONCA, Neb. (KTIV) - The 5th annual Missouri River Outdoor Expo wrapped up in Ponca, Nebraska on Sunday.

Participants got the full outdoor experience, from boating, to horseback riding and kids even could catch fish with their bare hands.

Jim Swenson with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says in a technology driven world, its nice to get out and enjoy nature.

"Kids are captivated with the internet and the videogames and its hard to get them outdoors, well this event is designed and get them back out," said Jim Swenson, NE Games and Parks Commission.

All the events at the expo were free of charge.

And event organizers say, "that's just the way nature intended."

"Once you're in here, everything is free," said Jim Swenson, NE Game and Parks Commission.

Free being the keyword at the Missouri River Outdoor Expo. With so many different events to choose from, most folks made Ponca State Park an affordable vacation destination to close out the summer.

 "You get a chance to come and see four wheelers and campers and shooting ranges. We haven't even seen everything yet," said Lana Oswald, Ponca, NE.

You would be hard pressed to see everything in the 24-hundred acre park, as climbing walls, exotic petting zoos, and a pioneer village show visitors what the outdoors has to offer.

"It shows how many good things you can do and things you can learn outside," said John Steffensmeier, Clarkson, NE.

Kayaking and Boating on the mighty Missouri River gave opportunities even nature enthusiasts say can be the ride of their life.

"We're pretty "outdoor-sey' people so i wouldn't say we get out more but really get out and enjoy some of the things we don't normally get the chance to," said Oswald.

"Good for the kids, they can play, ride horses, do things they don't get to do on the everyday field so its good for them," said Mike Pendergast, Sioux City.

One of the favorites of the Missouri River Outdoor Expo is the bolt action rifle shooting. 

Even if you're not a perfect shot, the Expo gave everyone the chance to do some target practice, whether with a bow and arrow or a shotguns. But for most, just being outside was entertainment enough.

"Being out in the air. It's nice to be out and see people. It's a neat event," said Reed Bursen, Sioux City.

All the while giving folks a dog-gone good time.

Online Reporter Michael Klos