Maine's newest addition to the outdoor merchant scene is here, ready and waiting to open it's doors. Ching, ching!

Cabela's, the Nebraska-based retail giant, is celebrating the Grand Opening of its new store in Scarborough, just off Maine Turnpike Exit 42 on Thursday, May 15th starting at 5 PM.

You want quality hunting, fishing and outdoor gear? Cabela's has it. And plenty of it.

I wandered down that way this afternoon to get a good look-see around and maybe snap a few photos just for yucks. I was impressed with the only other Cabela's I'd visited, the behemoth of a store in Fort Worth, Texas, and was pretty curious to see what I could see. I never expected the doors to be open, however.

So naturally I sauntered in like I belonged there and milled around. (The store was open today by invite only, but hey, what the heck).

Cabela's new store in Scarborough officially opens Thursday, May 15th.
Carey Kish photo

Figuring I'd better go official before somebody tossed me out, I tracked down Peter Marshall, Cabela's Public Relations Manager, who was kind enough to give me a tour of the place.

It's a cavernous 125,000 square-foot superstore with an almost theme park feel to it. I mean c'mon, there's a diorama, an aquarium, a 2-story tall "Conservation Mountain," a fly shop, laser shooting gallery, world-class gun library and more.

Oh yeah, and the endless aisles and shelves chock full of outdoor stuff...

Cabela's is 125,000 square feet of outdoor shopping paradise.
Carey Kish photo

Marshall was busy as you might imagine, and admitted to being a little tired (he'd been up since 3 AM), but he was charged up and firing on all cylinders as the store crew worked tenaciously to ready things for the big celebration and the hoards of outdoor shoppers that would follow.

Peter Marshall, Cabela's Public Relations Manager, kindly gave me a tour of the huge new store.
Carey Kish photo

If you're planning to come Thursday at 5 PM, be prepared for big crowds, Marshall told me. But no matter, Cabela's has arranged for plenty of off-site parking just down the road a piece across from Beech Ridge Raceway. Shuttles will be running continuously to move store visitors conveniently back and forth from the store.

I had to check out the camping department, of course...
Carey Kish photo

Red Sox announcer Joe Castiglione and Governor Baldacci will kick things off. There will be giveaways and special prices on clothing and merchandise, plus drawings to win a multi-sport adventure, a $3,000 camping package, a lifetime fishing permit and a Cabela's Ultimate Outdoor Adventure package.

... and pick up a new hat!
Carey Kish photo

So, there you go folks. Dust off them credit cards. Carpool on down. And come and get it. Cabela's has come to town...

You going to be making a visit to the new Cabela's and dropping down some of your hard-earned cabbage on new outdoor goods??

The sign says it all...
Carey Kish photo