GUN SHOW 2010

Elks Gun Show Draws Record Crowd
By Bill Wehrle / C-T Outdoor Editor, Tuesday, February 16, 2010

C-T Photo / Bill Wehrle

CAPTION: This past weekend's 8th Annual Chillicothe Elks Gun and Knife Show enjoyed record attendance, and at times on Saturday the crowd was pretty much "elbow to elbow". Bad weather can't keep gun and knife enthusiasts from having a fun time!

The Chillicothe Elks Lodge's eighth-annual Gun and Knife Show, held this past weekend at their lodge in southeast Chillicothe, drew a record crowd of gun and knife enthusiasts. Despite the weekend's "winter weather advisory" with cold, snow and slick roads, a sellout group of vendors and 1,400 attendees came to Chillicothe to buy, sell, trade or just look at the latest in guns and knives, plus many older, even historical weapons. The number attending replaced the old record of 1,200, set last year. The Elks Gun Show just keeps getting bigger and better.

A polling of vendors, many of whom had been here for most or all of the previous shows, found them extremely pleased with this year's show, with many remarking that, despite allegations of a "down" economy, their sales this year were the best they've been for some time. Most of them have already reserved their tables for next year's ninth-annual show, and according to show coordinator Kerby Vulgamott. "This year's show is barely over and we're almost completely booked up to next year," he said excitedly. "Many of our vendors have been coming here for several years and tell me our show is a favorite. They love the way the Elks volunteers help them load their wares into the show and load back up when it's over. They don't get treated that special treatment everywhere."

About anything a gun or knife enthusiast could want was on display at the show, with firearms from the latest in high-powered, scoped rifles and handguns to the most primitive and historical in black powder muzzleloaders. Some attendees came to the show all three days in order to be sure they saw it all.

Gun shows are a social event for participants and a lot of information and just plain tall tales changed hands during this three-day event. Vulgamott explained, "The show's a lot of fun, but we don't hold it just for fun. It's one of the Elks' fund-raising events used to support their scholarship program. Each year we give scholarships to deserving area students. The money raised at this show plus the many sponsorships we've received will allow us to continue and expand the scholarship program.
He expressed his appreciation to all supporters.

"I would like to thank our sponsors, the vendors, and everyone who came to our show. We'll be back with a ninth-annual Gun and Knife Show at about this time next year."

This press release from Kerby Vulgamott, Trustee...

Chillicothe Elks Lodge #656 held its 8th Annual Gun and Knife Show on February 12–14. What a great fundraiser for the Lodge! The dealers cane from Missouri, Kansas and Iowa. All the dealers complimented us on the hospitality of the Lodge and its members. Our gun raffle went over very well. The money raised goes to the Scholarship Fund. The winner of the raffle, Shawn Graves of Chillicothe, picked the Bone Collector 50 caliber black powder.

On Sunday morning, Lori Brown cooked breakfast for the dealers and volunteers who worked the show. Over 75 people came out and enjoyed breakfast.

Special thanks to the Ladies Auxiliary for all the great meals. Thanks to Les Cook, Vickie Lingard, Spike Speicher and Shirley for the ribs, potato salad and cole slaw after the show. Thanks to Paul Ficken for his weekend efforts.

I very much want to thank these volunteers:

Brad Schuler Danny Williams Gary Willard Keith Kepner Brett Romeiser Doug Carson Harvey Donoho Steve Howe Steve Waits Rob Trantham Joe Haley Darren Lauhoff Steve Palmer Nicole Booth Chuck Haney Paul Prichard Paul Ficken Fred Simmer Martha Berry Becky Harkins David Milligan Roger Saccaro Mike Thompson Marvin Holcer Farrell Warren Rich Anderson Amie Spears Chris Feese Clark Gwin Pete Madison John Meneely John Guthrie Mike Colgan John Lewis Spike Speicher Tim Goodrich Jim Gates Fred White Brenda Trager Mark McCauslin Gene Carlton Dan Graham David Booth Vickie James Fred Hinnen Deanna Kepner Les Cook Randy Grell Lyndale Ryan Vickie Lingard Mark McCauslin

I also want to express gratitude to the following sponsors:

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