DW-Gun Show
Gun show brings out vendors and customers
Cutline: Michael Lee was among the customers for the B&T Estevan Gun Show in Estevan on Saturday.
The B&T Estevan Gun Show drew customers and vendors alike to Estevan’s Wylie-Mitchell building this past weekend.
Ninety-six tables were set up for the event, which is the most they can accommodate. About 600 people were present on Saturday, and while they didn’t have an official number for Sunday, it was expected to be between 200 and 300 visitors.
Kevin Thompson, who organizes the show along with Lionel Bender, said they were pleased with the number of people who passed through the doors.
“A lot of the vendors were happy,” said Thompson.
The attendance was lower than the previous year, which Thompson chalked up to the current state of the economy. But he saw a lot of satisfied people throughout both days.
“In previous years, we usually get around that 700 mark (for attendance) on the first day, and then on the second day it’s around 300-350 people,” said Thompson.
Thompson said the first day is usually the more popular of the two because all of the most sought-after merchandise is still available.
The customers were very happy with the selection.
“There were quite a few nice comments with some of the guns that were displayed. Some of the knife-makers that were here, they did very well,” said Thompson.
About 90 per cent of the exhibits were for guns and ammunition, but there were some other exhibitors as well, including knife-makers, a coin collector, a moccasin vendor and photographers.
“We have to have a few a different tables for something different,” said Thompson.
Thompson said the vendors are still eager to come back to Estevan. He talked to about 95 per cent of them, and they said they would be back next year.
Proceeds from the gun show will be directed towards the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation.
