Duluth Bass Pro Shops Outpost Announces Grand Opening Date Plans, Celebration

The wait is nearly over for people excited to check out the new Bass Pro Shops location set to open in the Duluth area.

Earlier this spring, I got the chance to talk to the general manager for the brand new Bass Pro Shops store, taking over what was once the Gander Mountain/Gander Outdoors/Camping World location in Hermantown.

In that conversation, he shared some exciting details about what the shopping experience would offer. The Twin Ports area store is one of the company's smaller "outpost" locations. While not tiny by any means, it is just a smaller footprint than some of the company's largest stores around the country.

Along with the outdoor supplies and service customers can expect, he explained that each Bass Pro Shops location is designed and decorated uniquely to represent the area they serve, and that he was excited for the public to get to see it.

READ MORE: What to know about the new Duluth area Bass Pro Shops location

That date is now nearly here, and with it, a big celebration!

When is the Duluth area Bass Pro Shops location opening?

As the company announced today, the Bass Pro Shops Outpost in the Twin Ports area is set to hold its grand opening on Wednesday, May 21.

This will not be just any store opening, however.

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One of the elements of a Bass Pro Shops location opening is something the company calls an "Evening for Conservation", which includes a lot of activities and reasons for outdoor enthusiasts to stop by.

That gets going at 5 pm on May 21. Here's a look at what all that entails.

What will be happening at this grand opening and 'Evening for Conservation'?

The evening will kick off a few days' worth of grand opening festivities and reasons to stop by the store, which include special appearances from some big names in the outdoor and entertainment world.

Of note, the company will donate 20% of sales during the Evening for Conservation to support local conservation efforts. This sort of focus on helping conservation efforts is something the company and its founder focus on throughout the year, but a grand opening is a special event for this cause.

The Evening for Conservation kicks off with a live musical performance from country music singer and songwriter Blaine Holcomb at 5 pm.

At 6 pm, the grand opening ceremony kicks off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the store. On hand this evening will be some iconic figures in the outdoor & entertainment world, including:

• Roland Martin, winner of 19 Bassmaster tournaments and nine B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year awards, and the first professional bass fisherman to be inducted into the International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame, Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.
• Jimmy Houston, one of the biggest names in the history of fishing, a fixture on ESPN’s national television coverage of the sport and member of both the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.
• Mark Zona, Master Angler and host of “Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show.” His angling expertise, resilient personality and spontaneous humor have made him one of the most recognizable faces in outdoors television today.
• Gary Parsons, a professional walleye fisherman, specializing in tournament fishing and walleye fishing. He’s a member of the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and one of the co-hosts of the popular The Next Bite television show.
• Casey Keefer of the popular Keefer Brothers, who have spent decades mastering the art of survival – not just in the wilds of Alaska, but in content, business, and storytelling. Their perennial hit show Dropped airs on Outdoor Channel. Rooted in spirit, exploration, and expertise, the Keefer Brothers thrive in places inaccessible to the common man.
• PAW Patrol characters alongside Hall of Fame angler Charlie Evans

After the grand opening ceremony, all of these celebrities will be available for meet-and-greets and autographs.

In addition, the store will be offering thousands of dollars in giveaways through the opening weekend, the first look at the store's 10,000-gallon aquarium, as well as special deals and discounts.

The store will officially be open for normal retail shopping after the ceremonies, with normal hours from 9 am to 9 pm Monday-Saturday, and 10 am to 7 pm Sundays.

The store will be updating additional information related to its grand opening on the store's grand opening webpage.