EVER WANT TO GO TO AN AIRGUN SHOW?
Well, your chance is coming:
Pacific Airgun Expo III
March 7 & 8, 2015
El Dorado Fairgrounds, Placerville, CA
pacificairgunexpo.com
As for myself, I enjoy going to airgun shows so much that I organized the first two Pacific Airgun Expo’s!!!
The initial Pacific Airgun Expo was held in 2011 in Roseville, CA. I started that show because there hadn’t been an airgun show nearby since the Reno show in 2001, and I got tired of waiting for someone else to put one on. As promoter for the Roseville show, I can testify that it was a lot of fun and a great success. Here’s a peek at how it went;
With the encouragement of a team of airgun enthusiasts, we moved the 2013 show further south to Fresno, CA. You may have seen it on the TV show American Airgunner;
The Fresno show was the best show ever, with field target demonstrations by the Norcal and S. Oregon clubs; a 10 meter competition by local JROTC cadets; demonstration of historic replica Austrian military air rifles by Martin Orro and Hank Elwood; airgun repair classes with Randy Bimrose; and one of the most extensive raffles you’ll see anywhere. Plus, of course, a ton of airguns, parts, optics, and accessories for sale, and airgunsmiths available to take airguns in for repair. The only disappointment was the attendance, which was down a bit from the Roseville show.
I still want to go to another airgun show, but due to health, time, and finances, am no longer in a position to organize it. That’s why I’m glad that Michael McKeown has stepped up to take it on. Michael is a long time airgunner and was a vendor at both previous Pacific Airgun Expo’s. With his airgunning background, computer and web skills, and experience in promoting other types of events, Michael is sure to bring new energy to the show.
With a new promoter, some things are bound to be different. But the core of the show, airgunners, vendors, and casual or just curious shooters coming together to buy, sell, trade, try out, learn about, get repaired, or just show off anything related to airguns, will carry on.
I’ll have a table at the show, and encourage all of you who made it to the 2011 and 2013 shows make it to this one as well. Reserve your tables early (wall tables go first), spread the word, and contact Michael to see if you can get involved. You can reach him via the website at pacificairgunexpo.com or at (707) 337-9410.
I’m looking forward to seeing you all there. Don’t miss it!!!