Contributed by Matt Rowley
Alaska’s diverse seasons come and go, each one of them offering countless opportunities to get outside and enjoy the things this tremendous state has to offer. As we emerge from winter hibernation, the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show is coming to Wasilla – a rite of spring in southcentral Alaska, your first opportunity each year to hook up with the gear, clothing, toys, ideas, and information to help you get the most out of your outdoor Alaska experience. It’s also a great chance to fill up your summer dance card with charters, adventure trips, and other outdoor activities that make you happy.
This three-day event at the Menard Center offers something for everyone. Vendors will be there offering all manner of goods from RVs, boats, and other big boy toys, to knives, dog treats, sporting goods, wood carvings, survival gear, and other specialty items. If you’re looking for knowledge, there will be classes on where and how to catch halibut, self-defense training, career opportunities, outdoor survival, and dog training. Plus, you can learn about land and fisheries conservation, fire mitigation, and off-grid living. Don’t forget about the food! There is no excuse to go home hungry, as there will be a veritable smorgasbord of food trucks with a plethora of tasty eats available all weekend. Are you hoping for your chance to be a big winner and take home a big prize? Several nonprofits will be raffling exciting items like an Argo, guns, ATVs, guided hunts, and much more! Of course, you can’t win if you don’t play. Even if you don’t take home the grand prize, by participating in these raffles, you are still a winner, because you are contributing to these worthwhile causes that benefit our community.
And speaking of community, you may have noticed that many of the Outdoorsman Show vendors are local small businesses, the lifeblood of our state. These are your friends and neighbors. When you buy from a small business, you’re not helping a CEO buy a third vacation home. You are helping a little girl get dance lessons, a little boy his team jersey, a mom put food on the table, a dad pay a mortgage or a student pay for college. Small businesses are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods, the spine of our local economy, and the spirit of our community. These are the vendors you’ll find at the show.
The Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show will be held the 25th, 26th, and 27th of March. Adult admission is $7, kids under 8 are free, parking is free, and the show is always free for military. Get the details at MatSuOutdoorsmanShow.com. We can’t wait to see you there!
