About 150 vendors packed the High Prairie Sports Palace, curling rink and Gordon Buchanan Recreation Centre April 15-16 at the 20th annual High Prairie Gun and Sportsmen Show. Attendance over the two days was more than 4,500 says Darrell Basarab, longtime chairman of the show organized by High Prairie Fish and Game Association. The event has sold out the last seven years. This year’s show featured about 50 vendors in the gun room in the Gordon Buchanan Recreation Centre, about 60 in the Artisans’ Market in the curling rink and the causeway and about 40 in the Sports Palace. Basarab believes attendance was up because more people were less reluctant to the negative impacts of COVID-19 than they were at last year’s show, plus the stronger economy. Of note, the 50/50 draw hit a record $10,000 on the first day with $5,000 for the winner.
A father and his son check out guns. Left-right, are Doug Flett, of Gift Lake, and his son Deen Flett, of High Prairie.One gun shopper browses at a display of Barton’s Big Country. Left-right, are Jonathon Hesse, of High Prairie, and Barton’s owner Mike Davison.Dave Booth Taxidermy, of Slave Lake, displays some of its work. Left-right, are taxidermist Brody Teale and Brayden Teale. The fine work was admired by many visitors.Teegan Trimble, 9, of High Prairie, may want to become a firefighter at the Alberta Wildfire display.Two young brothers sit in the driver’s seat of an all-terrain vehicle at the display of The Honda Shop, of High Prairie. Left-right, are Ed Lavoie, of Slave Lake, and his grandsons Rhett Teale, 4, and Jackson Teale, 8.Alberta Wildfire promotes fire safety in forested areas. Left-right, are wildfire technologist Roland Derry, wildfire ranger Shawn Gordon, crew supervisor Jack Flett and wildfire ranger Paul Courtoreille.Roy Ransbottom, of High Prairie, had a display some of his historic guns that were for sale. Visitors at the trade show had many booths from which to choose from.Brothers check out guns at the show. Left-right, are Robin Supernault and John Supernault, both of East Prairie.Neth Lavoie, of Woodgrain Farms and Decor, of Girouxville, shows her woodcraft signs with a friend Sebastien Cayanong, 9, of High Prairie.People of all ages enjoyed the variety of animals furs at the display with Alberta Fish and Wildlife. Left-right, are Max McLachlan, Belinda McLachlan, son, Cole McLachlan, 3, and Fish and Wildlife officer Xander Kipling.Canadian Wildlife Adventures promotes its tours. Left-right, are owner Kevin McNeil and guide Keith Denoncourt.Town of High Prairie councillors Sacha Martens, left, and Therese Yacyshyn promote services.This boy loves tractors. Carter Rogers, 3, of Bonanza, left, sits in the driver’s seat of tractor in the Martin Deerline display as his father, Blaine Rogers, stands beside him.Wine tasting was popular at the display of Shady Orchard and Winery, of High Prairie. Left-right, are owners William and Kristie Gordon and their daughters, Jessica Gordon and Anna Gordon.Jeanette Fenn, left, and her mother Pearl Fenn, both of Slave Lake, show handcrafts from the business Eccentric Designs by J.L Fenn.Kami Brulotte, of Leduc and formerly of High Prairie, promotes her neckpacks filled with wheat from the High Prairie Seed-Cleaning Plant.
