Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show weekend

I’ve mentioned the coming show a few times already, but the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show is scheduled to open this week on the same day this column should come out in print. As far as I know the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show has grown to the largest outdoor show in the State of Alaska. This event has a large following each year, as many Alaskans are excited about the approaching summer outdoor season, including spring bear hunting, summer fishing in both freshwaters and saltwater, and the approaching fall hunting season. The Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show has always been held at Wasilla’s Menard Sport Center.

2026 Show hours are: Friday, April 15 noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, April 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission Pricing is: Adults, $10 daily; Military with I.D., $5 daily; Under 12 years— Free.

Free Sunday morning admission

As has occurred at past shows there’ll be free admission to the show on Sunday from 10 a.m. - 12 noon. This year the free admission Sunday morning has been sponsored by Frontier Auto and RV Sales — A big Thank You for continuing this tradition that is extremely popular with both show attendees and show venders.

Parking has always been free at the Menard Center during the show — and seeing nothing to indicate otherwise, I will attend the show with that thought in mind.

Kids Trout Pond

New for 2026: Youth of 14 years or younger can fish for free with the chance of catching and keeping (or releasing) one of 2,000 trout that will be brought from the William Jack Hernadez Hatchery by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). In addition to ADF&G the pond has been supported by an additional 12 sponsors — at least eleven of which are also scheduled to be venders at the show. A big Thank You to each for supporting this program to encourage participation by young Alaskans and possibly some young visitors. The kids trout pond will be located outside.

New Gear

Several venders display new boats, recreational vehicles (RVs) and or campers, off road vehicles, knives, fishing gear and / or shipping gear. Some of the larger items maybe outside, but there is also considerable space inside dedicated to large items in a comfortable-at-all-hours-of-the-show environment.

Several charter operators will be making reservations at the show, including some located in the Mat-Su Valley, one from the Copper Valley, several from different Kenai Peninsula locations and Whittier. For people interested in different places go or stay in Alaska several chamber of commerce / visitor associations should likely be handing out free visitor information.

Food

There are usually some packaged outdoor oriented food items at some of the booths —often with free samples at the booth, and several food truck vendors with fun items to enjoy while visiting the show located near, but outside the Menard Center.

Drawings and Door Prizes

I have nit heard of specific prizes, but often some vendors may have free drawings at the show, other vendors raffle large ticket items as fundraisers at the show, and often the show may announce door prizes awarded to specific ticket holders in attendance at the time.

Free Seminars

I mentioned a few seminars in a previous column, however people can peruse the seminar schedule to consider if they want to attend the show at particular times to catch specific seminars. https://matsuoutdoorsmanshow.com/seminars/

From the link above you may also access additional free information about the show — including specific vendor locations.

Travel, Camp, Hunt, Fish, and Adventure On!

Andy Couch is a member of the Matanuska - Susitna Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission and the Matanuska Valley Fish and Game Advisory Committee the thoughts and opinions expressed in this column are his own - unless noted otherwise.