Allan Schenk Safaris in South Africa promotes its tours. Left-right, are Canadian booking agent Hal Ziprick, Hugh Ziprick and Logan Ziprick.
Richard Froese South Peace News
The 22nd annual High Prairie Gun and Sportsman Show on April 26-27 was another big hit despite a dip in attendance.
About 4,000 people attended the event based at the Sports Palace, says Darrell Basarab, longtime chairman of the show, organized by High Prairie Fish and Game Association.
“The crowd was down by about 10 per cent from last year,” Basarab says.
After the show drew about 4,500 last year, the 2025 event was held on a busy weekend with several major events in the region, he says.
“Many farmers in the region were also starting to get out into their fields with warmer weather,” Basarab says.
“When that happens, it affects attendance.
“Some years we’re up, some years we’re down.”
More than 150 exhibitors promoted their products and services. The event sold out for the ninth straight show.
“Most of our vendors were happy,” Basarab says.
“We had fewer people, but they were spending more money, many vendors said.”
The show included many new exhibitors, who travelled from southern B.C. such as Osoyoos and Clearwater and from Saskatchewan such as Battleford and Saskatoon.
“We had a lot of new exhibitors and they were happy how we treat them.”
The event featured more than 50 displays each in the gun room in the Gordon Buchanan Recreation Centre, the Artisans’ Market in the curling rink and the causeway and in the Sports Palace.
Exhibitors featured a variety of products and services, from hunting and fishing and other outdoor recreation opportunities and all-terrain vehicles and government ministries and agencies to clothing, businesses and home and garden to community groups, organizations and home-based businesses and arts and crafts.
Demand from exhibitors continues to grow.
“I think we’ve been sold out earlier than ever – for about two months and we have a waiting list of more than 20,” Basarab says
“We have one of the best facilities north of Edmonton for such an event, with three large venues.”
Exhibitors traveled from the three western provinces and many complimented organizers for hosting such a well-organized event.
“We got lots of comments from exhibitors, who say our community support, involvement and volunteers are great,” Basarab says.
“Without the support from local businesses, organizations and volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to host such as large event.”
Basarab and the association thank all who supported the event.
Organizers are already planning for the 23rd annual show in 2026 with a preferred weekend in the middle of the month rather than later.
“We’ll be back the third weekend of April,” Basarab says.
Next year’s show is scheduled for April 18-19.
Estimated crowds of over 4,000 attended the High Prarie Gun and Sportsmen Show April 26-27 in High Prairie. Above, a young boy, M.J. Blaikie, 3, of High Prairie, sits on a ride-on lawnmower on display at Horizon Ag and Turf (formerly named Martin Deerline).Two men try out rifles. Left-right, are Clifford Starr, of Peerless Lake, and George Okemow, of High Prairie.Books of stories of hunting and outdoor life written by Pat Ferguson, right, of Clearwater, B.C. were on display. He is an author, raconteur and hunting. His wife Ida Ferguson, sits beside him.Two brothers look at rifles for sale. Left-right, are Luke Bellerose and Cort Bellerose. Many vendors attended the show to sell their products to over 4,000 potential customers.Joyce Lamouche, of Gift Lake, left, shows her products in her business J & J Crafti with her husband, Albert Lamouche.Honest, they are in there somewhere! Nicole Harding, left, and her mother Marcia Nygaard, show and sell their crafts in their business called Care and Share Hearts.Ben Spruyt, 10, wants to be a wildfire firefighter at the cut-out of the Alberta Wildfire display.Alberta Wildfire provides information to help people prevent wildfires and protect their property from wildfires. Left-right, are information officer Dan Troke and area forester Russ Macdonald.Alberta Conservation Association biologist Clayton Temple, left, and senior technologist David Jackson provide a variety of printed information and guides for attendees.Young brothers play with toy guns made of wood. Left-right, are Jack Airth, 6, of High Prairie, and Henry Airth, 6.Joe Arnault, of Smoky Lake, left, demonstrates a deer hoist he sells at his business Jaz Ltd. as Donald Labrecque, of Sunset House, looks on. Services and products for sportsmen were on full display at the show.Simard Butcher Co. in Falher promoted their products and services. Left-right, are owners Stephane and Nichole Simard, and retail store manager Samantha Pepin.Alberta Conservation and Alberta Lands officers provide materials and information. Left-right, are conservation officers Brett Wilson and Connor Rowe and Alberta Lands assistant recreation engineering officer Sean Clarkson.Transport Canada and Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers promote boating safety. Left-right, are Alberta Transport boating safety officer Jason Rosadiuk and Fish and Wildlife officers Travis Gloeckler and Dorian Simpkins.Hannah Garant, of Donnelly, sits in the driver’s seat of a quad on display at The Honda Shop in High Prairie with her sister Brenna Garant, left, and brother Simon Garant, right.Town of High Prairie Councillor Therese Yacyshyn, left, and Councillor John Dunn promote several projects and programs in the community.Big Lakes County, based in High Prairie, promotes its services. Left-right, are executive assistant Cynthia Marshall, Kinuso Councillor Roberta Hunt and communications co-ordinator Victoria Zahacy.The Lesser Slave Watershed Council promotes its projects and services. Left-right, are executive director Meghan Payne and science and stewardship co-ordinator Jessica Sutherland.
