Organizers of the double-barrelled gun and trade shows and community garage sales being held in Canora on the weekend are eager to duplicate, if not exceed, the success of last year’s shows.
The town was packed with people last year, said Jo-Anne Sigurdson, the community development officer. “It was one of the nicest sights. It brought people to town and business to main street and everywhere else.”
Although last year, the first year that the River Ridge Fish and Game group joined with the trade show, it had been organized by the chamber of commerce, this year the Town of Canora stepped in to work with River Ridge to hold the event.
Being held at the skating rink, the trade show will have at least 30 vendors, which is about the same number as had participated last year, Sigurdson said. “We’ll have everything from make-up to boats.”
Sigurdson estimates that half the vendors are returning from last year, with the remainder being new to the event.
“We’re excited that included will be a psychic and a Tarot card reader,” she said. Various booths will be selling jewellery, honey, juice and coconut oil products and sewing items. Among businesses to attend will be Crossroads Credit Union with a relaxation booth, Nehaj Building Centre, Gateway Co-op, Dr. Bob’s boats, the yoga studio and Combined Insurance. The Canora Fire Department will be attending with its mascot and will be offering fire safety tips for children. The Rising Stars Daycare will be there and Leson’s Funeral Home will be selling pre-needs packages and monuments.
About 30 homes in the community were included on a list of the garage sales that will be held during the two days, Sigurdson said, adding that a Town of Canora garage sale is on the list and will be selling items from the swimming pool building.
“That stuff is priced to sell,” she said, listing children’s toys, a Foose Ball machine, tables and chairs and “a piano in great shape, just needing tuning.”
Kathy Thomas, president of the River Ridge Fish and Game, said the gun show, at the Sylvia Fedoruk Centre, is basically restricted to fire arms and related items.
Guns and components, including a re-loading component and custom-made knives will be included in the list of 30 vendors that will be making use of over 100 tables, Thomas said. Admission to the show is $5 per person and children aged 12 years and under are admitted free of charge, but must be accompanied by an adult.
“We’ve got about the same number of vendors as we had last year,” she said, adding that this will be the River Ridge’s third annual gun show.
“We had 375 people attend the show last year, but we’re hoping for more.”
The Canora Lionesses are operating the canteen for both, the gun and trade show, she said. “They do a wonderful job.”
Proceeds from the gun show is used for wildlife habitat, enjoyed not only by hunters, but by mushroom pickers, bird watchers and everyone interested in preserving wildlife, she said. “We also donate to youth education programs such as the NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program).
