Tickets for a first of its kind outdoors event in Salina go on sale Monday. The three day Smoky Hills Sportsman Expo is coming to the Bicentennial Center in August.

American Country Awards nominee Craig Campbell takes the stage Friday, August 22 at 7:00 PM, part of the headline concert for the three day event, The Expo will also feature a benefit dinner and auction on Saturday, August 23 at 6:00 PM with guest speakers John Godwin, Justin Martin and Jessica Robertson of Duck Commander.

The Smoky Hills Sportsman Expo is a three day event packed full of fun for the entire family. Not only is there an expo, there is also a craft show with handmade products and top level corporate reps, entertainment and demonstrations throughout the event. This is the first year the expo is being held in Salina and the proceeds will benefit the Spiritual Life Center at ECF in Ellsworth, KS.

Tickets for one day admission to the expo are $10 for adults; kids (2-12) get in for $8. Tickets go on sale Monday morning at 10:00.

The headline concert Friday night features American Country Awards nominee Craig Campbell. After moving from his hometown of Lyons, Georgia to Nashville in 2002 to pursue his country music dreams, Campbell quickly picked up work as a keyboardist in Luke Bryan and Tracy Byrd’s bands and was later discovered playing a regular gig at legendary Nashville honky-tonk, The Stage. Since signing with Bigger Picture, he has entertained crowds across the U.S., Australia and Switzerland, performed for national TV audiences on Fox & Friends, Huckabee and Marie and has been profiled in HLN’s series Road Warriors. The singer-songwriter has earned well-deserved praise from the country’s toughest critics for his 2011 self-titled debut album and current album Never Regret, which have sold over 1 million tracks to date. Campbell’s autobiographical lead single, “Family Man” was a top 15 hit followed by fan-favorite “Fish.” His current Top 15 hit, “Keep Them Kisses Comin,’” is the follow-up single to smash “Outta My Head.” To learn more about Craig, visit www.craigcampbell.tv and follow him on Twitter @craigcampbelltv. Tickets for the concert are $30 general admission floor; $20 general admission stands.

The benefit dinner and auction Saturday night features guest speakers John Godwin, Justin Martin and Jessica Robertson of Duck Commander.

Godwin grew up hunting deer with his father, but once introduced to the world of waterfowl, duck calls captured his attention. He placed 3rd as a teenager in his first calling contest after Phil Robertson “tuned up” his call to make it ready for competition. John has worked for Duck Commander since 2002. Some of his duties include, building duck calls, managing supplies and overseeing the shipping department. During the season, however, John’s main title is decoy technician. He figures out the exact spot the decoys should be placed, and works on all equipment after the hunt to make sure it is ready to go for the next day’s hunt. John can be seen on Duckmen 7-11 as well as The Art of Commanding Ducks, Best of the Duckmen and the popular television show Benelli presents Duck commander on the Outdoor Channel.

Martin began working for Duck Commander in 2008. He, along with Jase and Godwin, build all of the duck calls for the company. Phil gave him a series of nicknames until 2010 when one finally stuck “Friar Tuck”. Come duck season you can find him cutting brush making sure the ducks will not see any of the duckmen. Also, due to his size, you will often see him hauling heavy loads. He is the newest member to the Duck Commander Crew.

The wife of the youngest son of Phil and Kay Robertson, Jules Jeptha “Jep” Robertson, Jessica Robertson fits right in with the family. As a child she grew up hunting on the weekends with her father in the woods of Louisiana. She first met Jep in 2001 and they were married within two weeks of announcing their engagement. They now have four children: Lily, Merritt, Priscilla and River. Jessica also has a business background like many in the Robertson family, but not from working at Duck Commander. She previously worked in real estate and was a licensed real estate agent and most recently worked in sales.

Tickets for the benefit dinner and auction are $99 VIP floor (includes VIP meet & greet with the three Duck Commander crew members before the dinner); $77 floor preferred; $59 general floor; $37 general admission stands (does not include dinner).

Ticket packages are available for all three events. For information visit BicentenialCenter.com. Group rates are also available for 8 or more people. For group ticket information contact Kevin Boryczki at 785-826-7200. For more information about the Smoky Hills Sportsman Expo visit www.smokyhillssportsmanexpo.com.

Tickets for all events at the Bicentennial Center are available online at BicentennialCenter.com, by phone at 1-888-826-SHOW (7469) or at the box office.