PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – The Sportsman’s Show has come and gone with organizers pleased with the outcome for the 10th annual event.
“We had some great comments from vendors and those attending this year’s show,” said Charlie Beck, co-director of this year’s show.
Organizers were hoping to improve on the number of people who attended last year’s two-day event, which drew just over 6,000 individuals. This year’s total was a pleasant surprise to members of the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club who helped organize the festivities.
“We were up over 3,000 from last year’s attendance total. We’re pleased with how the weekend turned out,” said Beck.
Saturday proved to be the busiest day for vendors, as milder weather encouraged folks to get out to check out the show. From boats and motors to fishing poles, camps and live animals, there was something for everyone.
“It was busiest on Saturday for us. We got around eight new memberships sold and gave out a lot of information on the club and our big event coming up June 22, 23 and 24,” said Dick Howlett, president of the Star City ATV Club.
One person even stopped by on Friday evening as club members were setting up for the show.
“We had one individual stop by Friday night expressing interest in the club. Before they left, they signed up to join the club,” said Gary Walsh, vice president of the SCATV Club.
Kevin Freeman, owner of The Sled Shop, was pleased with the turnout.
“I got to the show after noon on Saturday and was told by staff that we’d had a lot of people stop by to check out our machines and ask questions,” said Freeman.
Since much of the money raised goes toward scholarships for youth to attend the conservation camp at Bryant Pond, this year’s event was designed with the focus more on kids.
“We had Caster the Easter Bunny, displays and activities designed with kids in mind. Being Easter weekend, we thought it was a perfect opportunity to hold the show and give families an activity they could do together,” said Nick Archer, co-director of the show.
Valerie Flood, 9, and her six-year-old brother, Scott Flood, both of Washburn, especially enjoyed the fish and animals.
“We really liked the animals – Dolly the cougar and Baxter the bear. The fish were neat too,” said Valerie Flood, as her brother nodded in agreement.
Members of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife were kept busy selling shirts and hats as they answered questions and handed out information.
”It was a busy weekend. We had a lot of people stop by. It’s nice to have a show like this where we can meet with the public and answer their questions,” said Sgt. Tom Ward of the Maine Warden Service.
Harold Tardy, an avid fisherman and hunter from Woodland, spent Saturday afternoon taking in the show with his wife, Debbie.
“This is fun. You get to see what’s new. You get to see some old friends and pick up tips,” said Harold Tardy. “I got some questions on ATVs answered too.”
Visitors to the two-day event had the opportunity to enter to win a canoe as they entered the facility. The winner of that prize went to John and Brenda White of Hodgdon Mills.
Saturday afternoon’s moose-calling competition had the best participation in the event’s 10-year history.
“We had 18 entries in the moose-calling contest. That’s the largest number we’ve had to date,” said Beck.
Tony Sappier took the $250 first-place prize, followed by Frank Hathaway’s claiming the $150 second-place prize and Mark Michaud taking the $100 third-place award.
A check was also presented to Art Howell of the A.E. Howell Wildlife Center in Amity. Howell has been a regular at the annual show, bringing a variety of animals from his refuge to share with visitors, offering advice on how to act around wildlife and what to do should you find an injured animal or bird.
“We presented Art with a check for $1,500. He provides a valuable service – both at the center and through his speaking engagements in local communities,” said Beck.
Plans are under way for next year’s festivities. With the waiting list growing for vendors, organizers expect a good show again next year.
“We had some great comments from vendors and those attending this year’s show,” said Charlie Beck, co-director of this year’s show.
Organizers were hoping to improve on the number of people who attended last year’s two-day event, which drew just over 6,000 individuals. This year’s total was a pleasant surprise to members of the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club who helped organize the festivities.
“We were up over 3,000 from last year’s attendance total. We’re pleased with how the weekend turned out,” said Beck.
Saturday proved to be the busiest day for vendors, as milder weather encouraged folks to get out to check out the show. From boats and motors to fishing poles, camps and live animals, there was something for everyone.
“It was busiest on Saturday for us. We got around eight new memberships sold and gave out a lot of information on the club and our big event coming up June 22, 23 and 24,” said Dick Howlett, president of the Star City ATV Club.
One person even stopped by on Friday evening as club members were setting up for the show.
“We had one individual stop by Friday night expressing interest in the club. Before they left, they signed up to join the club,” said Gary Walsh, vice president of the SCATV Club.
Kevin Freeman, owner of The Sled Shop, was pleased with the turnout.
“I got to the show after noon on Saturday and was told by staff that we’d had a lot of people stop by to check out our machines and ask questions,” said Freeman.
Since much of the money raised goes toward scholarships for youth to attend the conservation camp at Bryant Pond, this year’s event was designed with the focus more on kids.
“We had Caster the Easter Bunny, displays and activities designed with kids in mind. Being Easter weekend, we thought it was a perfect opportunity to hold the show and give families an activity they could do together,” said Nick Archer, co-director of the show.
Valerie Flood, 9, and her six-year-old brother, Scott Flood, both of Washburn, especially enjoyed the fish and animals.
“We really liked the animals – Dolly the cougar and Baxter the bear. The fish were neat too,” said Valerie Flood, as her brother nodded in agreement.
Members of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife were kept busy selling shirts and hats as they answered questions and handed out information.
”It was a busy weekend. We had a lot of people stop by. It’s nice to have a show like this where we can meet with the public and answer their questions,” said Sgt. Tom Ward of the Maine Warden Service.
Harold Tardy, an avid fisherman and hunter from Woodland, spent Saturday afternoon taking in the show with his wife, Debbie.
“This is fun. You get to see what’s new. You get to see some old friends and pick up tips,” said Harold Tardy. “I got some questions on ATVs answered too.”
Visitors to the two-day event had the opportunity to enter to win a canoe as they entered the facility. The winner of that prize went to John and Brenda White of Hodgdon Mills.
Saturday afternoon’s moose-calling competition had the best participation in the event’s 10-year history.
“We had 18 entries in the moose-calling contest. That’s the largest number we’ve had to date,” said Beck.
Tony Sappier took the $250 first-place prize, followed by Frank Hathaway’s claiming the $150 second-place prize and Mark Michaud taking the $100 third-place award.
A check was also presented to Art Howell of the A.E. Howell Wildlife Center in Amity. Howell has been a regular at the annual show, bringing a variety of animals from his refuge to share with visitors, offering advice on how to act around wildlife and what to do should you find an injured animal or bird.
“We presented Art with a check for $1,500. He provides a valuable service – both at the center and through his speaking engagements in local communities,” said Beck.
Plans are under way for next year’s festivities. With the waiting list growing for vendors, organizers expect a good show again next year.
