Florence, Alabama, will be filled with boatloads of cash, pro-anglers, pets, an outdoor expo and Family Fun Zone when the Walmart FLW Tour event roars into town July 21 – 24, 2011. Expect to see at least 300 pro-anglers from around the country fishing Pickwick and Wilson Lakes where they will be competing to reel in big bass and $100,000 in cash. Anglers are also vying for the prestigious 2011 Walmart FLW Tour Angler of the Year title that will be determined by the most points accumulated over the six Tour Majors.

The entire field of anglers will launch at 6:00 a.m. from McFarland Park on Thursday and Friday mornings with the Top 20 Pro and co-anglers going out Saturday. They will crown a Co-angler champ Saturday afternoon at the 4:00 p.m. weigh-in at Walmart. The top 10 professionals continue competition on day four for the last FLW Tour event before the Forrest Wood Open.

The National Guard Soldier Appreciation Tournament will be Saturday, July 23. The tournament features National Guard FLW College Fishing anglers and members of the National Guard fishing to compete against their peers. FLW Outdoors is operating the tournaments in conjunction with the National Guard to show appreciation to our service members. The weigh-in will be Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Walmart.

FLW, IAMS pet food and the Florence/Lauderdale Tourism office will partner with the Florence/Lauderdale Animal Shelter for Pets and Pros during the FLW Outdoors Expo at Walmart in Florence. The bass may be scared during this event but the anglers are as gentle as puppies. This event will take place Saturday, July 23^rd from 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. Volunteer anglers will assist the shelter and local pet rescue groups with the adoption process. Anyone adopting a pet will receive 10 FREE sample bags of IAMS dog food. The first 300 children 14 and under on Sunday will receive a free rod and reel combo compliments of KIX 96 FM. The Expo includes Ranger boat simulators, the opportunity to interact with professional anglers, interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by sponsors, and fans can learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities. All activities are free and open to the public.

Florence/Lauderdale Sports Marketing Director Beth Agee says, “Florence/Lauderdale Tourism has been hosting FLW events for fifteen years and this will be one of the largest and most exciting tournaments to date.

Pickwick Lake is now one of the premier sport fishing lakes in the country and the publicity surrounding the number and weights of our fish have brought anglers in for weeks to pre-fish.”

Coverage of the Pickwick Lake tournament will be broadcast in high-definition (HD) on VERSUS. “FLW Outdoors” will air Sept. 11 from 1 to 2 p.m. ET. FLW Outdoors, hosted by Jason Harper, is broadcast to more than 500 million households worldwide.For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow FLW Outdoors on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWOutdoors.

Activities start Saturday, July 16, with Walmart Pro Day and Bentley Chevrolet Chevy Pro Night.

Schedule:

• Saturday, July 16

– 2-4 PM Wal-Mart Pro Night

– 4-6 PM Chevy Pro Night at Bentley Chevrolet Cadillac

• Thursday, July 21

– 5:00-6:00 AM Folgers Morning Takeoff coffee and donuts served at McFarland Park

– 6:00 AM Takeoff at McFarland Park

– 2:30 PM Weigh-in at McFarland Park

· Friday, July 22

– 5:00-6:00 AM Folgers Morning Takeoff coffee and donuts served at McFarland Park

– 6:00 AM Takeoff at McFarland Park

– 2:30 PM Weigh-in at McFarland Park

· Saturday, July 23

– 5:00-6:00 AM Folgers Morning Takeoff coffee and donuts served at McFarland Park

– 6:00 AM Takeoff at McFarland Park

– 7:00 AM National Guard Soldier Appreciation Tournament takeoff at McFarland Park

– 12:00 PM Outdoor Expo opens at the Wal-Mart

– 3:30 PM National Guard Soldier Appreciation Tournament weigh-in at Wal-Mart

– 4:00 PM Weigh-in at the Wal-Mart

· Sunday, July 24

– 5:00-6:00 AM Folgers Morning Takeoff coffee and donuts served at McFarland Park

– 5:30 AM FLW Takeoff Show begins at McFarland Park

– 6:00 AM Takeoff at McFarland Park

– 12:00 PM Outdoor Expo opens at the Wal-Mart

– 4:00 PM Weigh-in at Wal-Mart