Amado is attracting adventurers from all over the world this weekend.
Organizers expect the Overland Expo 2011 will draw nearly 4,000 people Friday through Sunday. For the uninitiated, overlanding is a growing adventure-travel genre that includes 4WD and motorcycle exploration, camping and world travel.
"Overlanding is more about the journey - the journey is the purpose," said Roseann Hanson, the expo's director. "We have people flying in from Chile, India, France and the United Kingdom," she said, citing 30 states, four Canadian provinces and 14 countries spanning five continents.
And while some will be in the middle of around-the-world explorations, others will be average folks on a budget who want to live the dream of exploring, said Hanson, a Tucson native.
This weekend's expo will have more than 100 exhibitors of camping equipment, tents, campers, safety equipment, kitchen gear, 4-wheel-drive vehicles, adventure motorcycles and equipment. It will also be possible to test drive a Land Rover and talk with safari and travel companies from North America, South America and Africa.
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There will also be food for sale and entertainment such as adventure films and travel talks.
Demos and clinics include "The Solar System" (how to camp with solar power); "Outfitting an Outdoor Kitchen;" and "Couples Survival: How to survive road trips with your spouse" among others.
If You Go
• What: Overland Expo 2011, exhibits, demos, films and slide shows.
• When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
• Where: Amado Territory Ranch, 3001 E. Frontage Road, in Amado. It's about 35 miles south of downtown Tucson, off Interstate 19.
• Cost: $20 day pass at the gate with online discounts available at www.overlandexpo.com