WASILLA — Local outdoors enthusiasts are scratching their first itches of the season at the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show.

Nearly 3,000 people passed through the doors at the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex during the event’s first two days to get a jump on the upcoming hunting, fishing, camping and hiking season. With about 95 vendors packing the complex, there was plenty to capture the imagination.

Valley resident Brad Johnson came to the show Saturday afternoon to scope out a new boat for the upcoming fishing season. Instead, he found himself astride a futuristic-looking three-wheeled Spider on display at the Team CC booth. The sleek, black sport bike has two wheels in front and one in the back.

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“I’m really impressed with this,” Johnson said. “It’s pretty cool. This looks like something out of a Batman movie. I came for the boats, and really, how can you give up the water?”

From high-end toys like the Spider — which has a sticker price of about $17,000 — to the basics of camping and hiking, the show has something to pique the interest of most strolling through the aisles. Straight away, those passing through the entrance of the show are greeted by a large 21-foot SJX sport boat.

Don Moren of Wasilla was manning the SJX booth and described the craft while a large-screen television displayed exciting video footage of the boat in action. The SJX, with a price tag of about $46,000, is an extreme low-water, high-performance river boat, he said.

“It’s good to be able to show (the boat) like this,” Moren said about his prime placement at the front of the show. “We come here to get the world out, to show the new models and features.”

While many in attendance window shop and browse, others come prepared to spend big bucks on their outdoors toys, said show organizer Tony Russ. That’s why in addition to vendors, several banks also have booths ready to take loan applications. At last year’s Outdoorsman Show, one bank wrote about $140,000 in loans, Russ said.

The real draw for the three-day extravaganza, which continues today until 5 p.m., is in its timing, Russ said. As the first Southcentral show of its kind of the year, the Valley show is the first opportunity for people to start shaking off a winter of restlessness.

“They’re chomping at the bit,” he said. “At this time of year, they can’t do these types of activities, so they can come here.”

The variety of vendors also helps make the event family friendly, he said.

In addition to charter services, ATVs and boats, Palmer artist Shane Lamb stands out with a booth filled with local landscapes and outdoors scenes and Tristan Michaels is kept busy giving away free samples at The Jerky Hut.

A longtime staple for outdoors activities, The Jerky Hut showcased a wide variety of beef and turkey jerky — 19 kinds in all.

“I like jerky because it last a long time and I like the taste of it,” Michaels said. “Now, there are so many different flavors. Also, when in your pack it doesn’t take up a lot of room.”

Palmer resident Rod Bettis didn’t buy anything at the show, but said he enjoyed looking at the industry innovations and products.

“So far, this is a pretty good overall look at what’s available,” he said. “I go to all the shows and they did a good job putting this together.”

Tara Kuzina of Wasilla was there with her husband and two children, who were busy trying to fill up their goodie bags with giveaways.

“We come here every year,” she said. “We always pick up the pamphlets and stuff the (vendors) put out. It’s a lot of fun.”

It’s that family appeal that Russ hopes sets the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show apart from other trade shows.

“I try to make it a family show,” he said. “On Sunday, wow, there will be a lot of kids here. We have the face painting and everything for them too. At the same time, ti’s a preview of our summer to come and an outlet for all that pent-up energy.”

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.