It’s an annual sign to kickoff outdoor season for Northerners.
The 76th edition of Schumacher Lions Club Spring Sportsman Show is set to run on April 27 and 28 at the McIntyre Community Centre.
Show chair John McCauley has organized the event for 16 years. Booths are sold out for the weekend.
“We have about 75 vendors with 220 booths in total,” he said. “It’s in the arena, the curling club, the curling lounge, the upstairs auditorium and the upstairs ballroom. We take over the entire McIntyre complex, except for the coffee shop.”
The event remains popular locally because residents look forward to spring and summer in the outdoors
“Whenever the sportsman show comes around the ice is close to coming out, although it is out early this year, and people can get out and get to their camps for outdoor summer,” McCauley said. “It also gives them an idea of the new stuff that’s coming out this year like ATVs, boats and side-by-sides. Also, lawn equipment and stuff like that.
“It’s a good springboard to spring and summer.”
While some vendors return each spring, there are some new ones every year.
“We have some different booths this year. We have wood carving, some fish and tackle,” he said. “The MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources) is here again with a booth.
“And, of course, our biggest vendors J&B Cycle and Marine and Mikey’s General Sales are back again this year. They always put on a great display.”
There’s lots of entertainment at the Sportsman Show for the price of admission.
“We also have Amanda Lynn Mayhew from the That Hunting Girl TV show on Sportsman TV Channel,” he said. “She’s been here a few times now. She’ll have a booth set up and doing autographs and pictures and meet and greet type stuff.
“We have the Birds of Prey show. He has been coming every year and he packs the room every time. Every year, he brings something different, so it’s never the same. We have people who come to the show just to see him.
“We also have the Bowhunters Association, they put on a nice display in the auditorium. And we have the Timmins Fur Council, they have a good show set up.”
McCauley likes seeing families coming to the event.
“I enjoy seeing all the kids, and the adults as well, how excited they are when they’re walking around seeing all the new stuff the vendors have,” he said. “I make it a point to go up and see the Birds of Prey every year, just to see how many people are still interested and amazed by the show.
“The place is packed every show (three on Saturday, two on Sunday). We usually put out 300 chairs and they are full with people standing at the back.”
Funds raised at the event go back to the community.
“Money is used to help local families for things like eyeglasses, prosthesis, dental … stuff that insurance doesn’t cover,” McCauley said. “We give quite a bit to the Timmins and District Hospital Foundation, the hospital itself, and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
“We have a beautiful park that is just northwest of the McIntyre arena that the Schumacher Lions Club maintains.”
Just recently, the club donated $10,000 to the victims of the Empire Complex fire. The club also sponsors a post-secondary scholarship for a graduate from each of the five local high schools. Members also look after the Stan Fowler Christmas Fund, handing out food vouchers to families in need during the holiday season.
“Our club gets funding through events like the Sportsman Show and the Christmas Craft Show,” he said. “All that money goes back into the community. We sponsor a number of community hockey teams, individual players, and more. One hundred per cent of the profits of this event will go back into the community in one way or another.”
Admission is $5 for adults, and free for children 10 and under accompanied by an adult are free
“For that $5, you get quite a bit of entertainment,” McCauley said “Plus, knowing that $5 is going back to help the community, it’s a win/win for everybody.
“If you are a sports person or you love the outdoors, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.”
The Schumacher Lions Club Spring Sportsman Show takes place at the Mac on Saturday, April 27, from 10 am to 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
