The Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show puts a real nice splash into the winter as we go into the big second week for show season around Chicago outdoors. And the All-Canada Show kicks off Thursday at Pheasant Run in St. Charles.

``The Boat Show'' In my world is the major family show of the year. It is in its 80th year and will be at McCormick Place North through Sunday.

This year has an added kid appeal with SpongeBob SquarePants from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday. Here's to Bikini Bottom.

It's our favorite, pure and simple.

Oh, there's the Huck Finn Trout Pond. And boats, lots of boats to see and walk through. And campers/RVs.

The boat of note this year is Miss GEICO, the fastest offshore racing boat in the world, capable of 185 mph.

After years of absence, Dan Basore is back with his Historical Fishing Display and, as usual, you're more than welcome to bring in lures/fishing equipment for appraisal.

Other new things are Pirates of Colonial America, Antique Boat and Motor Display and DockDogs.

Other notable events are the Shedd Aquarium's Listen to Your Lakes Space, wakeboard/water-ski clinics (Saturday and Sunday) and the Affordability Pavilion.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $4 for kids 13 to 15, free for kids 12 and younger ($2 senior discount today and Thursday). Parking: $19 (or take Metra or CTA).

Go to www.ChicagoBoatShow.com

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All-Canada Show opens Thursday and runs through Sunday at Pheasant Run in St. Charles.

No secret here, this is planning the dream trip to Canada.

Otherwise, some notables are the ''Hanson Buck'' exhibit, passport applications, seminars by Norm McCreight and ''Locked at Lac Seul,'' the largest locked antler exhibit in the world.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and kids 13-16, free for kids 12 and younger. Parking is free.

Go to http://www.allcanadashow.com/html/chicago/.

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Musky Road Rules Cabin Fever Clinic has two nearby gatherings.

Notable at this clinic is kids and women are free. For guys, it's $50.

On Saturday, there's one at the Holiday Inn in Elk Grove Village. On Sunday, there's another at the Hilton Garden Inn in Rockford.

Go to muskyroadrules.com

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UPCOMING OUTDOOR SHOWS
Show, dates: site, contacts

Hammond Outdoor Sports Show, Jan. 23-24, Jean Shepherd Community Center, Hammond, Ind. sportsshow.gohammond.com

America's Outdoor Show, Jan. 27-31, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, americasoutdoorshow.com

Strictly Sail Chicago, Jan. 28-31, Navy Pier, www.strictlysailchicago.com

Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo, Jan. 29-31, Pheasant Run, St. Charles, greatwatersflyfishingexpo.com

Chicago RV & Camping Show, Feb. 10-14, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, thervshow.com

Tinley Park Fishing & Outdoor Show, Feb. 13-14, Tinley Park High School, tinleyparkfishingshow.com

[LATE ADD] Henry Decoy Show, Feb. 14, Henry-Senachwine High School, Henry. Contact Susan or Bruce Bauter at (309) 364-4104 or bbauter@mchsi.com

Our World-Underwater, Feb. 19-21, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, www.ourworldunderwater.com

Illinois Deer & Turkey Classic, Feb. 26-28, Interstate Center, Bloomington, deerinfo.com/illinoishome.asp

Chicago Maritime Festival, Feb. 27, Chicago History Museum, chicagomaritimefestival.org

Northwest Indiana Steelheaders Spring Fever Outdoor Show, Feb. 27-28, Expo Center, Valparaiso, Ind., nwisteelheaders.org

Lake Home & Cabin Show, March 5-7, Schaumburg Convention Center, www.lakehomeandcabinshow.com

Rockford Boat Show and companion Fishing & Outdoor Expo, March 5-7, Indoor Sports Center, Rockford, showtimeproduction.net o click here for the expo and click here for the boat show

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show, March 10-14, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, Wis., www2.jsonline.com/sportsshow

Canoecopia, March 12-14, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, www.rutabaga.com/canoecopia

Indoor Fishing Flea Market, March 13, Rolling Meadows High School, by the Chicagoland Muskie Hunters and the RMHS Choral Boosters, www.muskiesinc.org/chapters/03/indoorFishingFleaMarket.asp

Travel and Adventures Show, March 20-21, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, adventureexpo.com

Great Outdoors Expo, March 27-28, Woodstock North High School, Woodstock, greatoutdoorsexpo.net

National Antique Decoy and Sporting Collectibles Show, April 23-24, Pheasant Run, St. Charles, midwestdecoy.org