After this winter, we all need a little spring," said Dan Robbins, a member of the Donegal Fish & Conservation Association (DFCA) and a committee member for the group's annual outdoor show. "Come to the show, walk around, see what everybody has to offer and get ready for fishing and other outdoor activities."

The 61st annual Ken Depoe Memorial Outdoor Show will be held on Saturday, March 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Maytown Fire Company, 160 E. High St., Maytown. It will feature vendors and displays, including information from local conservation groups, used hunting and fishing gear for sale, artisans, children's activities and more.

A meal from Harvey's Main Street BBQ will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include a pork barbecue sandwich and two sides. Tickets may be purchased in advance for the meal by contacting Chris Brandt at 717-470-7585, and meals will be available to purchase on-site while supplies last. The deadline for preorders is Friday, Feb. 27.

Although the show has been held for six decades, it has been renamed for the first time to honor Depoe, a founding member of the DFCA and a longtime advocate for outdoor education.

"He passed away since last year's show, and we wanted a way to honor him and his contributions," Robbins said.

The show will feature more than 40 vendors, along with tables of information from the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Marietta Fireworks and other groups.

"Most of the vendors focus on fishing, hunting, wildlife and other outdoor activities," Robbins said. "We also have lots of things for kids, including a presentation from Critter Connections. They bring live bugs and other things for kids to safely pick up and hold. Kids get a kick out of that. Big kids do, too." Critter Connections will present a program at 1 p.m.

Tony Dranzo, known as The Addicted Angler, will offer "Fly Tying Demo for Local Trout" at 11 a.m.

"He'll talk about fly fishing and show people how to tie their own flies," Robbins said. "It's a great program for anyone who is interested in learning how to do that."

The DFCA will have a table, featuring tickets to win one of three prizes, including a custom-built fly rod and reel.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofit DFCA, an organization dedicated to the restoration, conservation and preservation of the Donegal Creek and its tributaries.

"We have a trout nursery that we maintain and run," Robbins said. "We buy fingerlings - baby trout - and then feed them until they grow to adult trout, and then we stock the Donegal Creek a couple times a year. It's expensive to buy the fish, the fish food and pay the electric bill to keep the water aerated for the fish."

Proceeds also support stocking of trout for the DFCA's annual Kids Fishing Derby, held on the grounds of Donegal Presbyterian Church.

"We're just local folks trying to spread the word to let others know that the Donegal Creek and other area waters in Lancaster County are great resources for fishing," Robbins said of the DFCA. "We especially want to encourage young folks who may not be familiar or who are not yet into fishing to come check us out and see what we're all about."

DFCA members meet once a month in Mount Joy. For more information on the group, search for "Donegal Fish & Conservation Association" on Facebook.

As for the outdoor show, Robbins hopes people will come out for a breath of spring air in the midst of winter.

"It's free admission, and it's a great day for the outdoorsy-type person to have fun," he said. "It really gets you in the mood for all the things you can do once the winter is over."