Local families will have the chance to be exposed to the great outdoors — and some nifty prizes — next Saturday, when the Cass County Conservation Club hosts its 19th annual Hunter’s Rendezvous.

The event takes place from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the club, located at 54551 M-51 N., Dowagiac. Admission to the event is free, with chili and hot dogs available for a $6 contribution.

Organized for years by the conservation club, the family-oriented event serves as one of the main fundraisers for the organization, along with its annual squirrel hunt, which takes place the next day, and the Wild Game Dinner in February.

“The event is a fundraiser, but at the same time we are trying to expose kids and families to some local outdoor organizations as well as different kinds of outdoor activities,” said Richard Atkinson, coordinator of the event.

Proceeds from the event go toward the conservation club’s numerous youth programs, which include hunter training courses, an annual pheasant hunt at Marcellus’ Rolling Hills preserve, programs that expose students to wildlife and more, Atkinson said.

“In my case, I have a lot of fond memories of spending time in the woods or on the fishing boat with my dad,” Atkinson said. “We want to provide those same kind of memories to the current generation.”

Several raffles and silent auctions will take place throughout the event. Tickets for the main raffle cost $5, with the top prize being a freezer full of different kinds of meat, second prize a 20-gauge Weatherby shotgun and third prize a 32-inch color TV.

Organizers will also do free hourly prize drawings for children, with prizes including items like BB guns, crossbows and bows and arrows, Atkinson said.

“Those raffles are always a big deal,” Atkinson said. “The kids get excited about the prizes — and the parents often get just as excited, too.”

Children must be accompanied by adults to receive their prize, he said.

New to this year’s event is a raffle for people who bring in deer or other mounted trophies for display inside the archery barn, with the prize being a new shotgun. People who submit their trophies between 11 a.m. and noon will receive a free raffle ticket, with the drawing taking place at 4:30 p.m., Atkinson said.

Other activities during the event include a virtual reality hunting simulator, trophy scoring and wood carving demonstrations.

“We can guarantee everyone who attends will have a good time,” Atkinson said.