By Michaela Ludwig
For the Rimbey Review
The Rimbey Sportsman’s Show drew a big crowd on Father’s Day weekend this year, providing a unique, local shopping experience for patrons and raising about $3,000 for the Blindman Valley Rod and Gun Club.
“It went really well,” said Brad Janzen, secretary for the Rod and Gun Club.
“This is the second one we’ve hosted, but we had a lot of attendance and a lot of vendors. We wondered how well it would go over, being on Father’s Day weekend, but a lot of people came out.”
Many of the vendors were local, but some made a long trek to take part in the event, coming from as far away as Coronation, Edmonton and even Cranbrook. There were 30 vendors set up, occupying 66 tables.
Janzen said that the vendor stations were very diverse, some selling fishing lures or jewelry while others toted charcuterie boards or inflatable kayaks.
The Sportsman’s Show first began in 2019, but restrictions in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID meant the event couldn’t take place those years.
“It’s a fundraiser for the club, but it’s also a nice way for the club to give back, to have local events that everyone can enjoy and we can be part of.
“It’s nice to have those events in our beautiful little town.”
The show was held at the Peter Lougheed Community Centre in Rimbey, and the funds raised will go towards the maintenance of the Rod and Gun Club.
Janzen says given the positive feedback from the community the club will try to host another sportsman show next year.