Some big names will be arriving in Springfield next week to help Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris open the new Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium.

To name a few: Kevin Costner. Dierks Bentley. Bill Dance. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Oh, and maybe a couple of presidents.

On Sept. 20, the Bass Pro Shops store will close for the day to prepare for an evening coat-and-tie gala for conservation leaders and invited guests.

Former presidents George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter are listed as featured guests. The official kickoff of WOW also is being presented in honor of former president George H. W. Bush.

At 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 20., a live televised concert featuring Oscar-winning actor Kevin Costner and country music stars Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, John Anderson, Chris Janson, Tracy Byrd, Easton Corbin and Craig Morgan will be performing for the gala crowd.

Even rap/rock artist Kid Rock will make an appearance via a live feed during the concert.

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Simon Roosevelt, the great-great grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt, will join dozens of hunting, fishing, racing and conservation leaders during a VIP preview tour of the massive aquarium and wildlife museum at 500 W. Sunshine St.

Fishing legends Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston, and Roland and Scott Martin and other top anglers will tour the WOW facility. Hunting legends Jim and Eva Shockey and racing legends Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart and Martin Truex Jr. and others will also get a sneak peek at the 350,000-square-foot aquarium and museum.

Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke will join Sen. Roy Blunt, Congressman Billy Long, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens and many other state and local leaders during the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The gala is also billed as a fundraising event for Wonders of Wildlife, which is a not-for-profit charity foundation.

On Sept. 21, WOW will open its doors to dozens of conservationists and dignitaries. The public gets its first look at the recently completed WOW facility on Friday, Sept. 22.