By Jon Gulliver
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — A spring tradition in the Star City continues this weekend with the 15th annual Presque Isle Fish and Game Club Sportsman’s Show.
The event, held Saturday and Sunday at Gentile Hall on the campus of the University of Maine at Presque Isle, features more than 70 exhibitors, demonstrations and the return of the moose-calling contest.
“This has really grown into a major event for the Maine outdoors and in particular Aroostook County outdoors,” said Nick Archer, a member of the PI Fish and Game Club and one of the event organizers. “The crowd that comes through there to look at everything you can do in the outdoors is really wonderful.”
Back again this year is the kid’s trout pond and shooting and bow ranges. Something old is new again at the event, the return of the moose-calling contest. The grand prize is $500 and a chance to compete in the state moose-calling contest in Rangeley later this year.
“We want to develop a really high end moose-calling contest in northern Maine,” said Archer. “That $500 prize will more than likely be doubled next year. So we are looking for people to get into this state of Maine moose-calling competition and get some really good competitors.”
The moose-calling contest will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Wieden Auditorium.
Also over the weekend there will be various presentations like bass fishing, canoeing and kayaking. In addition the Maine Spaniel Club and North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association will have canines on site for demonstrations.
“You know when we have our show, green grass, open water and fishing are nearly upon us, and the sportsmen and women get a chance to see what is available to them to enjoy the outdoors,” Archer said.
Archer said the show has been a great event for the club — starting small at the Northeast Hotel in 1997 and then moving to the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center and finally winding up at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
“The partnership with the university has been great,” he said. “A lot of people who don’t get a chance to see Gentile Hall do so at the show and find out what a wonderful facility it is.”
The event is a big draw. Archer said 4,000 to 5,000 people attend each year and he is expecting a similar size crowd this year, even though admission has gone up a dollar to $5. Kids 10 and under are free.
Door prizes this year will be an Old Town canoe, mountain bikes for children 10 and under donated by Walmart and youngsters may also get a free fishing rod from Ben’s Trading Post. The fishing rods will be handed out randomly during the show hours, which are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
