The word "buck" takes on a whole new meaning at Buckmasters Expo this weekend in downtown Montgomery.

"We're always trying to come up with something a little different and new," said Buckmasters founder Jackie Bushman, who has added Bulls & Bucks bull riding to this year's outdoors extravaganza. 

For those with plans to go down to Florida's Flora-Bama next month for Bulls on the Beach, the Montgomery show on Friday and Saturday is the same group. Bushman got them to bring their rock 'n' roll rodeo to the city's parking lot by Embassy Suites. The lot has already been covered in dirt to accommodate 40 bulls, some of which are top ones from the PBR (Professional Bull Riders), Bushman said. The riders are pros from across the country, and one of them will walk away with the championship.

Presented by Mountain Dew, bull riding begins at 8:15 p.m. Friday and 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, with general admission seating. Gates open about an hour prior to bull riding. 

"We have VIP seating if folks come into the Expo and go to the Mountain Dew booth," Bushman said. 

The 10::Big bucks, lobsters, music and grown people playing with toys ahead this week

Plus, it's basically free. As always, admission to Buckmasters Expo is a can of food for the Friendship Mission ministry or a $1 donation. That includes general admission entry to the bull riding. Kids 12 and under are free.

"This will be the first time ever to have professional bull riding in downtown Montgomery," Bushman said. "We're excited about it."

Besides bull riding, the bulk of Buckmasters activities takes place at the Convention Center attached to Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa. Hours for the Expo are Friday, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, from 9 a.m to 7 p.m.; Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bull riding takes place after the Expo on Friday and Saturday. 

According to the city, both lanes of Tallapoosa Street and one lane of Molton around Renaissance Montgomery will be closed to traffic during Buckmasters.

"We try to bring new events for folks to come back and be part of," Bushman said. 

Celebrity chef and "crazy Cajun" Stalekracker is a special guest at this year's Buckmasters Expo.

He's got his own way of cooking and spicing up everything from fish to deer, and has tons of videos on his TikTok page @stalekracker and YouTube channel Stalekracker Official, where he takes viewers from catch to kitchen. He must be doing something right, because he's got almost 4 million followers, and has his own line of seasonings at thecajuntwostep.com.

"You did the time killing the animal. Do it respect and get all the meat you can off of it," said Stalekracker, in a video showing how to harvest meat that's often wasted from deer ribs and necks.

"He's an interesting character," Bushman said. "We're going to be doing some TV shows together. He's a big fan of Buckmasters."

Bushman said Statekracker will be at the Expo all weekend, set up at booths 100 and 101.

"There ain't no telling what that crazy guy is going to do," Bushman said. 

DockDogs brings out the best in man's best friend as they jump into the water.

The dogs will be catching some big air (the long jump of canine aquatics), going extreme vertical (high jump), and showing off speed retrieve (a combo of run, jump, swim and retrieve). It starts at 5 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. on Sunday. 

"They'll be right in front of the front entrance," Bushman said. "These are dogs from all over the Southeast that will be competing this weekend. It's always a big family event. We've got tents for people to sit under to watch."

Learn more about this national competition online at dockdogs.com.

The next generation of bow hunters will be competing on an indoor course in the Convention Center. Bushman said they'll have collegiate teams and 4-H students from across the country firing at targets. 

A fun way to get out on the water during Buckmasters Expo is to take a trip on the Alabama River aboard the Harriott II riverboat. As a bonus, Buckmasters is offering these for free. 

"Come in and get your ticket," Bushman said. "They'll tell you the time you can go on the riverboat."

The boat is located at Riverfront Park, through the tunnel on Commerce Street

Along with everything else, Buckmasters Expo has:

According to a report from Forbes, getting outdoors has become a new habit for many who were housebound during the pandemic. Last year, sales took a dramatic jump for items like kayaks, tents and sleeping bags.

"The whole outdoor industry has taken a boost," Bushman said. "License sales are up for fishing and hunting. All the outdoor equipment is up because basically when they shut the country down, they didn't have anything else to do but go outdoors. For folks that had never been outdoors, they kind of got hooked."

Bushman said demand has outpaced available retail outdoor products. Fortunately, the Buckmasters Expo has more than 300 vendor booths of outdoor items available.

"Every outdoor product you can think of is there," Bushman said. "They want to get rid of it. They don't want to take it home. They'll be selling it at discount prices. That's why we let everybody into the Expo for a canned good or $1, so they can spend their money with these vendors, so these vendors can stay in business."

There will also be free stuff for guests. Bushman said they'll offer a lot of product giveaways all weekend.

"Hopefully as this pandemic goes away and people get back to work, they'll still remember their experience in the outdoors and find time to get back and enjoy it," Bushman said,  

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel at sheupel@gannett.com.