OUTDOORS, INDOORS

It's difficult to get onboard with this, the idea of boats in winter in Minnesota. But for 37 years, boat enthusiasts and the like have flocked to the Minneapolis Boat Show - if only as a reminder that the ice and snow heaped on Minnesota lakes isn't permanent.

The 38th annual show - Jan. 20-24 at the Minneapolis Convention Center - kicks off the winter/spring "show" season in Minnesota. It will be followed in late March by the 78th annual Northwest Sportshow and in early May with the fifth annual ATV Fair, with a handful of smaller shows sprinkled in along the way.

The boat show is scheduled the same weekend as the annual Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Gull Lake. Approximately 10,000 anglers typically participate in what is regarded as the world's largest ice fishing event.

Nothing is more Minnesota in January than the Extravaganza. But if Minnesota in January isn't what you're looking for ...

Minneapolis Boat Show

• When: Wednesday-Sunday, Jan. 20-24.

• Daily schedule: Wednesday, Jan. 20, 5-10 p.m.; Thursday, Jan. 21-Friday, Jan 22, noon -10 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 23, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Where: Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Avenue S., Minneapolis.

• Tickets: Adults (16 and older) $10, juniors (13-15) $5, children (12 and younger) free and active military, free with proper ID. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.MinneapolisBoatShow.com or onsite. Discount coupons for $3 off admission are available at all Minnesota Cub Foods stores, Subway restaurants and participating dealers.

• Special theme discount days: Senior Day, Jan. 21: Seniors (62 and older) get in for $5; Fan Friday, Jan. 22: Wear your favorite Minnesota pro sports team attire and get $3 off adult admission; Pirate Saturday, Jan. 23: Kids receive a pirate-themed prize while supplies last.

• Information: (612) 332-8330 or www.MinneapolisBoatShow.com.

Special events:

• Pirates of Colonial America: An interactive exhibit in which both children and adults can learn about 19th century pirate life with historic artifacts, buried treasure, period shops and more.

• Online Boat Shopping: Pre-shop the Minneapolis Boat Show for deals on boats that will be on display during the five-day event at MinneapolisBoatShow.com. Show-goers may search boats by brand and model, schedule private appointments with exhibitors and get a first-hand look at some of the boats that will be at the show.

• Wakeboard Rail Jam: Making its debut in Minneapolis, Rail Jam features top wakeboard and water-ski pros on hand to demo the latest in extreme water sports. View from close range within a giant pool inside the Minneapolis Convention Center.

• Taste of Lakes Opening Night Experience: 5-8 p.m., Jan. 20: Enjoy some of Minnesota's most popular lake restaurants. Live music, drink specials and samples from lake restaurants favorites including Maynard's, Sunsets, Lola's Lakehouse, Captain Jack's, Zorbaz and more.

• SailFest Seminar Series: Get schooled from local experts who share their experiences and first-hand accounts of navigating the open seas.

• Boating Safety Center: Learn the rules of the water, how to navigate a boat to safety in a storm and the latest in safety techniques at this hands-on area. Representatives from top local boating safety organizations will be on hand to answer questions, demonstrate the latest safety gear and help you create a safe boating checklist.

Also, SpongeBob SquarePants will make special appearances Jan. 23-24.

Northwest Sportshow

• When: March 24-28.

• Show schedule: Wednesday, March 24-Thursday, March 25, 1-9 p.m.; Friday, March 26, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, March 27, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, March 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Where: Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Avenue S., Minneapolis

Tickets: Adults (16 and older) $10, youth (13-15) $5, children (12 and younger) free, Senior Day, March 25 (62 and older), $7.

• Information: (612) 332-8330 or www.northwestsportshow.com.

The show will feature boats and RVs, resort and adventure outfitters and exhibitors from throughout the Upper Midwest offering most every kind of outdoor gear/gadget imaginable.

Special features include Dock Dogs, the Wild Turkey Room, the Take Me Fishing Center, the U.S. Passport Fair (for those planning a fishing trip to Canada and the like), the 3-D Pop-Up Archery Practice and Tournament, Fish Tank Pro Demonstrations, the Sea Tow Boating Safety Challenge, the Trout Pond, Discover Fly Fishing and numerous speakers and seminars. And here, too, SpongeBob SquarePants will make special appearances for the kids.

ATV Fair

• When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 1, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 2.

• Where: Anoka County Fairgrounds, Anoka.

• Tickets: 15 and older $5, 14 and younger free (tickets available at the gate).

• Information: (800) HI-ATVAM, www.atvam.org or via e-mail at ATVAMoffice@ATVAM.org.

The fair will include head-to-head mud races - the season opener for the Northwoods Racing series. The races are designed for competitors of all levels, including novices. The ATV pull and R.C. Racers also are on the schedule and numerous ATV-related vendors will be on hand.

Also, numerous ATV clubs will provide information on trails sponsored by ATV clubs and club trails and education projects currently under way. The DNR will provide information on trails, education and enforcement and trail maps and information on the status of current projects will be available. Also, youth ATV riders can get the latest information on youth safety classes scheduled for 2010.

Other events

• Jan. 13-17: Minnesota Sportsmen's Boat & Vacation Show, RiverCentre, St. Paul - Wednesday-Friday, Jan. 13-15, noon-9 p.m; Saturday, Jan. 16, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 17, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Information: www.cenaiko.com.

• Feb. 5-6: Minnesota Decoy Collectors Show, Ramada Mall of America - Friday, Feb. 5, 4-9 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: (641) 455-7114.

• Feb. 12-14: St. Cloud Sportsmen's Show, Civic Center - Friday, Feb. 12, noon-9 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Information: www.cenaiko.com.

• March 12-14: Minnesota Deer Classic, Colosseum Building, Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Information: (763) 746-2656.