If you are a hunter you were probably at the Gallagher Centre at some point over the weekend.
If you weren't there, you should have been there.
The Gallagher's Flexihall was filled with exhibits for two full days and the Agripavillion was set up for a 3D archery shoot that attracted an estimated 4,000 people over the course of the weekend, says organizer and high school archery coach Darren Wandy.
Highlights throughout the weekend were guest speakers including Eva Shockey, hunter and TV personality and daughter of professional hunter Jim Shockey.
Father and daughter are hosts of Wild TV's Jim Shockey's Hunting Adventures. Also speaking on the bill were Cody Robbins and fiance Kelsy Claypool.
Wandy said it is the first time they've attempted an expo of this nature and it is not likely to be the last.
He also admitted a little case of the nerves Friday night when there was no way to tell what the response to this was going to be. Neither was Ms. Shockey
"Oh yeah," says Wandy with a bit of a laugh long after the doors to the Flexihall closed.
He said the pressure was there in the early going, however the size of the lineup to get into the Hall on Saturday was probably enough to erase any doubts the executive committee had.
"(From there), it was just a matter of how many people would (show)," he said.
Turns out tickets to the outdoor show were like hotcakes and they definitely sold like them.
"Apparently there's going to be a lot," said a beaming Shockey when asked what the numbers of spectators might be like.
"Fifteen hundred tickets sold in the first hour," says Wandy sounding like he thought it was funny.
"I'm excited for this show," added Shockey.
The Farrell Agencies Arena parking lot was jam packed again.
Part of the attraction was to Shockey, who made an appearance. She said hunting is part of life in her family and she was excited to take part.
"I kind of grew up doing this with my dad. It's part of the life for me."
When asked what it was about hunting that attracted her over other sports, she replied that she's tried others but hunting was a better fit for her.
She told YTW that her favourite hunting location is "the Yukon for sure!" and her favourite game is the "elk hunt", noting that the noise they make "sounds like dinosaurs" and that creates a "Jurassic Park" like environment. In the event program for the Parkland Outdoor show, it describes Shockey as a young lady who "continues to balance hunting, femininity and family. She said she began hunting at age 21 and suggested girls can still be the "girly girl" type and still take part in hunting.
She told YTW that she continues to wear make up and paint her nails.
She has taken part in provincial level volleyball and was also a professional dancer
When asked how the merchandising went, Wandy told the papert hat a lot of the vendors who showcased their items were selling out of their stock faster than they do at some of the bigger shows they do.
Wandy named parts of Texas and Las Vegas as not having quite the selling effect that Yorkton had.
Wandy said plans are already in the works to do another show next winter. Corporate sponsors included Yorkton Dodge and Home Hardware. Log onto www.yorktonthisweek.com for a collection of photos from the event.
