The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Enjoy

Discussion

February 1, 2013

Expo caters to guys' ideas for man caves

By Joe Hadsall Globe Features Editor

JOPLIN, Mo. — Scented candles and jewelry at a man cave expo?

Event organizer Matt Osborn says not to worry. The frilly, fluffy, smelly things will be tucked away in a corner, available for any guy who wants to get a head start on Valentine's Day shopping.

The main feature of the inaugural Man Cave Expo will be anything that goes in a guy's hallowed space, the one room of the house he gets to decorate without any help. More than 30 vendors will offer furniture, fitness equipment, amusements, memorabilia and electronics for a variety of manly spaces.

From samurai swords to kegerators, the expo is one of the few meant specifically for guys, said Osborn, of Way Beyond Events.

"It's something I've wanted to do for a while," he said. "We do a lot of family fests, and we've done wedding fests and girls' nights out. But there really isn't anything just for guys."

Osborn said the concept has taken off in other markets, including Springfield and Tulsa, so Joplin seemed like a natural fit.

The event will have more than just indoor entertainment, though. Vendors featuring small motorcraft and archery will be on hand, and guys can compete in a number of contests, from poker to who has the hairiest back.

Downstream Casino is sponsoring a Texas Hold Ôem contest to raise funds for Besties with Testies, a non-profit dealing with testicular cancer. Other competitions include a pie-eating contest and archery. The event also includes beer sampling.

Originally planned for September, organizers moved the expo to Super Bowl weekend, when schedules are more free.

"We thought, why not wrap this into Super Bowl weekend," Osborn said. "Guys are already geared up to do stuff. We plan to keep doing this at this time of year."



Want to go?

The Man Cave Expo will be held noon to 6 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Holiday Inn Convention Center. Admission: $3 for either day, $5 for both days. Poker tournament registration: $25. Details: 855-744-7787.

Text Only
Enjoy
Facebook
Poll

Parents could give up their babies without legal consequences up to 45 days after birth under a bill sent to Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon. The “safe harbor” extension from five days to 45 days could prevent child abuse, say supporters. Should Nixon sign the bill?

Yes.
No.
     View Results
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
NDN Video
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools $1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel? Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting