• by Tanya Gazdik , March 25, 2013

The Academy of Country Music announces it has signed on a slew of partners to sponsor the 2nd Annual ACM Experience, a free 3-day public event for country fans.

The event will be held at The Orleans Hotel and Casino April 5-7 in Las Vegas.

It includes ACM & Cabela’s Great Outdoors Archery Event, hosted by Luke Bryan, co-host of the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Ram trucks returns with a ride-and-drive event. Diet Dr Pepper sponsors the red carpet event. The Kraft Country Kitchen will offer 13 food vendors, a relaxing backyard picnic area and the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile.

The archery event will bring together country music artists, military personnel and fans in an archery exhibition featuring 3D and traditional targets. ACM Awards nominee Jason Aldean, country music artists Kix Brooks, Easton Corbin, Chris Janson, Justin Moore, Jon Pardi and Thomas Rhett and A&E's "Duck Dynasty" stars Willie Robertson and Jep Robertson will test their skills and knowledge on bow hunting, using Cabela's archery equipment.

A special "Fan Zone" will allow the public to be close to the action and also to test their bow hunting skills with Cabela's Pro Staff.

Fans can sample Dr Pepper, Dr Pepper TEN and Diet Dr Pepper and get their time in the spotlight at the Diet Dr Pepper Red Carpet Experience, a special photo area duplicating the red carpet arrivals line at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Country music artists Craig Campbell and Thomas Rhett will be featured guests at the Diet Dr Pepper Red Carpet Experience where they will sign autographs and take photos with fans.

Event attendees will have the opportunity to "ride country" on a free, 25,000-square-foot interactive Ram Ride and Drive test track. The one-of-a-kind Ram outdoor course pairs riders with professional drivers so fans can experience firsthand the performance, capabilities and competitive advantages of Ram 1500 pickup trucks, the 2013 Motor Trend Truck of the Year.

The Ram Ride and Drive is comprised of several obstacles, including a thrilling 13-foot climb where passengers experience the traction capabilities of a Ram pickup truck when driving over a 30-degree angle Ram Mountain.

Additional events and activities include a Coors Light Beer Garden where attendees can take a photo with the Coors Light "Official Beer of NASCAR" show car and relax with a cold one while watching many of the big-screen TVs