Cold and snowy weather coupled with a healing Central Alberta economy helped swell visitors to the Red Deer Sportsman and Outdoor Adventure Show on the weekend.
Show manager Jeff Chocholacek couldn’t have been more pleased Sunday morning as organizers expected another good turnout.
Chocholacek said attendance was up “well over” 1,000 people on Saturday following an increase of about 250 on Friday night.
The 45th annual event drew thousands of people to check out boats, hunting supplies, adventure travel and guest speakers from Friday to Sunday at Westerner Park.
For the first time in several year three pavilions had to be employed to handle the large increase in the number of vendors.
More than 100 had registered for booths by Friday.
“It’s been very good to see the crowds coming back so well,” said Chocholacek who has been a main organizer succeeding his dad Venny who still helps out.
Jeff Chocholacek said the increase is mostly due to a more robust Alberta economy.
“The oil money is moving again and everyone I think is tired of hearing about a recession.
“The exhibitors are really happy with the results whether it’s hunting or fishing lodges or the folks selling boats or even if it’s the guys selling the little gadgets . . . they’re all excited this year.”
“There’s kind of something for everybody here,” Jeff Chocholacek said.
All show proceeds go towards the non-profit association which promotes the management of Alberta’s natural resources.
Visitors examined tables showcasing gear for a diverse array of activities, including hunting, fishing, boating, camping, scuba diving, hot air ballooning, adventure camps and hunting trips to Africa.
Mary Ann and Garry Hrycyk of the Ponoka area were running a small booth promoting conservation in the outdoors for youths aged 12-15.
The Cenalta Youth Conservation Academy runs for the week of July 10-15 at Second Chain Lakes just east of Morningside near the Wolf Creek golf and camping area.
Last year some 32 youths attended which is capacity.
The camp is entering its 29th year of operation and provide a wide range of outdoor activities ranging from canoeing, using a compass, hunter education, boating and firearms safety, and wildlife identification.
The students participate in trap shooting and are introduced to black powder shooting.
“They also learn how a start a fire by using flint and steel,” said Gary Hrycyk.
A lesson on making a knife is also offered.
He said the couple started the camp because it cost them too much to send their own kids to a similar camp in Saskatchewan.
They joined forces with another person and managed to secure sponsors such as many surrounding fish and game groups including Breton, Innisfail, Lacombe, Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Camrose and Ducks Unlimited.
Cost is $350 per person which includes home cooked meals and lodging.
“Basically the camp is about hunter education and we want to teach the kids respect for the environment,” Mary Ann Hrycyk said.
The students are taught to leave their campsite in better condition when they arrived.
The firearm’s training session, under the leadership of Dave Powell, allows them to make their first step on way to getting a hunting licence.
Students also can acquire a small boating licence.
“A lot of time they’ll have a licence and their dad won’t,” Garry Hrycyk chuckled.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com