Quiet Water Symposium celebrates the nonmotorizes recreation in East Lansing, Mich., on March 3

The Quiet Water Symposium is Michigan's green outdoor recreation show, with over 100 exhibitors, 1,500 visitors and a dozen speakers and presentations. The 17th annual QWS will take place in East Lansing on March 3.

Attending is a great way to break winter's cabin fever and see friends and interesting displays. The nonprofit event is low-key and educational, although it is also a trade show with business booths. It's unique for its down-home style among events of its size. Once a paddling show, QWS has been broadened to feature any nonmotorized outdoor activities and interest areas.

Come see sea kayaks, canoes, rowboats, small sailboats, bikes, skis, snowshoes, dogsleds, small-vehicle camping trailers, sessions on primitive skills, flint knapping, hiking, basketry, booths set up by Boy Scouts, outfitters, vintage outdoor book sellers and conservation clubs.

QWS is unique in several other ways, too. It's the only university-sponsored outdoor show, being located in Michigan State University's Pavilion as part of MSU's Agriculture and Natural Resources Week. It's the only volunteer-run outdoor show of its size. And it's uniquely open to small exhibitors, clubs and hobbyists who want to show what they've been building.

This year's speakers include canoeing authors Cliff Jacobson and Joanie and Gary McGuffin. There will be presentations on Canadian and Great Lakes canoeing and related topics. Boat-building demonstrations will be ongoing.

Admission is $10 for the Saturday, March 3 show, open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Find more information at Quietwatersymposium.org.