Lovers of the outdoors spent this weekend inside at the longest-running outdoors show in Central Alberta.
The 52nd annual Red Deer Sportsman and Outdoor Adventure Show starting Friday at Westerner Park and wraps up Sunday.
“It’s anything and everything to do with the outdoors,” said Jeff Chocholacek, show manager. “If you like hunting, fishing, camping, trail rides, trips … or anything for the outdoors you can get at the show.”
There was less people at this year’s event, Chocholacek said.
“We’re really fighting the weather this year,” he said. “The weather can kill the show or make it real good. Today I even got up in the morning and thought, ‘Awe man, I have to go shovel the sidewalk and then go to the show.’”
Chocholacek said some exhibitors called him in the days leading up to the event, saying they were unsure if they would be able to make it. But every exhibitor that signed up, was able to make it to the show.
About 150 exhibitors were on display throughout the weekend.
“There’s always something different at the show. It’s just a matter of wandering through and checking it out,” Chocholacek said.
Chocholacek has managed the show for more than 10 years. His father used to manage the show as well.
“It gets bigger and better every year,” he said. “We have exhibitors … from Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan and even South Africa.”
All money raised at the event goes towards the Red Deer Fish and Game Association.
“It all goes back into the club, its habitat land and into the community through youth organizations and stuff like that,” Chocholacek said.
The show continues Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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