The first Parkland Show and Expo which promises to be the largest exposition of outdoor, recreational supplies and equipment, will be held March 10 and 11 at the Gallagher Centre Flexi-hall, St. Mary's Cultural Centre and the Agri-pavilion. Expo president Darren Wandy says the event, a fund raiser for youth archery in the city, promises to offer something for everyone.
The expo, sponsored by Yorkton Dodge and Home Hardware, will showcase all outdoor pursuits, says Wandy, including hunting and fishing to camping, bicycling and even an exhibit of tupperware and spices.
Currently expo organizers are looking for any and all exhibitors who would like to display their products or services at the show. "We're booking booth space right now," Wandy says. Tables for non-profit organizations are $150 apiece while a 10 by 10 booth space for commercial exhibitors is $500 with a reduction of $50 for each additional booth space purchased. Additionally there are some larger 20 by 50 booth spaces available.
Organizers are also inviting outdoor enthusiasts to mark the dates on their calendars and plan to take in the show. A $5 fee will get them into the door at the expo, Wandy says. The admission entitles all adults to have their name entered into a draw for a new rifle. Students 12-16 years of age will have their names entered for a draw which will take them on a five day bear hunt.
The event will also feature a 600 person banquet at St. Mary's cultural Centre. The banquet will feature a star studded line-up including keynote presenter Cody Robbins from Live to Hunt, Eva Shockey from Jim Shockey's Hunting Adventures, Jason Peterson from Hunting Canada and Beyond, Dean Partidge from Canadian Whitetail Television, Chad Morris from Men Outdoors as well as local presenters.
The event is being planned with the assistance of Randy Goulden from Tourism Yorkton who is very excited with the proposed show and expo. "Yorkton is a trading hub. It has the infrastructure to host an event like this plus when spring and fall come around, this is a massive trading hub that people come through all the time," Wandy states.
The Broken Arrow Archery Club will run a 3-D archery shoot in the Agripavilion during the event.
In addition there will be a shed hunting competition taking place, Wandy adds. "Anybody that has a shed that wants to get scored can bring it in and have it scored for $5. There will be top prizes for the top sheds and everybody who enters the shed hunting competition gets their name entered for the replica of the biggest palmated buck ever taken in the world," Wandy closes.
