By Douglas Scott
On the weekend of March 14-15, the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds will see one of the best events of the year. From 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, the fairgrounds will be home to the Horns & Hooks Grays Harbor Sportsman Show. The event, which brings the best outdoor vendors from inside and outside the county, costs just $8 for retail tickets or $10 at the gate and is sure to give you your money’s worth and then some.
The Horns & Hooks Grays Harbor Sportsman Show will have plenty of activities for visitors of all ages and levels of sportsman. Vendors range from those selling freeze-dried foods, sausages, scopes, fishing tackle to even backpacking gear and info booths like Wild Olympics. The Sportsman Show at the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds is the perfect kickoff to spring. With visits from outdoor celebrities such as Todd Hoffman of Gold Rush: Alaska and Jake Anderson of the Deadliest Catch, the event is sure to get those interested in the great outdoors excited for the upcoming year.
“Anyone interested in hunting, fishing and the outdoors will enjoy this event,” Rex Peterson, of Horns & Hooks told Grays Harbor Talk. “This event is for everyone during the day, and once the show closes on Saturday night, there will be a great party for those 21+.”
The Saturday night party mentioned, sponsored by Keystone Light is the perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The evening event gives those in attendance a chance to have a few drinks, while listening and dancing to music provided by Corey Daniels and Humptulips.
While the afterparty may be geared toward adults, the daytime events are focused on the whole family, with incredible opportunities for anyone interested in the great outdoors. Hunters, anglers, backpackers and those interested in all things nature will find a plethora of booths, as well as an opportunity to attend seminars led by professionals in the fields of hunting and fishing.
While many will attend this event to meander around the vendor areas or listen to expert advice, the highlight for most will be two areas set aside for shooting and archery. One of the coolest and most popular attractions of the Horns & Hooks Grays Harbor Sportsman Show is the Fast Draw area. Complete with re-enactors dressed in authentic looking clothing from the 1800’s, those who attend the Sportsman Show are able to test their quick draw skills with real pistols and wax bullets. With each draw timed and written down, visitors of all ages will have a chance to see who among them is the fastest draw. The Fast Draw area is free as part of your admission and is great for bragging rights among friends, family members and coworkers.
For those with a more traditional shooting style, there will be an archery competition held at the event, with all proceeds donated to Youth Outdoors Unlimited, a non-profit organization that takes youth who have been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses or disabilities out on their dream hunting or fishing outdoor adventure.
Besides the great talks, amazing vendors and awesome opportunities to shoot wax bullets and arrows, the event will be well stocked with fantastic food. For those looking for a bite to eat, the always delicious and incredibly rustic Pitchwood Alehouse of Raymond will be serving great food and drinks to visitors of the Sportsman Show. Other attractions at the event are great deals on fishing tackle by Sportsman’s Warehouse, great deals on scopes by Horns & Hooks, and the Northwest Head and Horns display, full of trophy racks and record holding deer and elk.
The Horns & Hooks Grays Harbor Sportsman Show is the must-attend outdoors event in Grays Harbor. 2015 promises to deliver an incredible experience for those who attend. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $8 at a myriad of locations around the Harbor, including Horns and Hooks in Montesano, D4 Sports in Cosmopolis, GHUnders in Hoquaim, or at the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds.
For those who wait until the day of the event, tickets will be $10 at the gates of the fairgrounds. Whether you get your ticket in advance, or wait until the day of the event, the Grays Harbor Sportsman Show by Horns & Hooks will leave you wishing it was longer than just two days.
Come for the outdoor knowledge, great deals on gear, and then stay for the Fast Draw, the food and the party afterwards. You won’t want to miss a minute of this event!
