Wasilla's Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show is growing

This article may come out in print on Friday the same day the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show starts at the Menard Center in Wasilla. I’ve had a booth at the show several years (skipping a year or two due to the COVID pandemic) but participated once again last year. I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of people attending, and the amount of business I had through the booth. I’ve talked with several other people who have also noticed that the Outdoorsman Show in Wasilla appears to have grown larger than the Great Alaska Sportaman’s Show in Anchorage. Losing the Sullivan Area / Ben Boeke Ice Arena venue has shrunk the Anchorage show significantly.

Show Organizer, Matt Rowley, has also upped the advertising game for the Mat-Su Show — and I’ve seen TV ads several times already leading up to this year’s show.. Last year there appeared to me to be even more exhibitors coming all the way from the Kenai Peninsula to do our local valley show, and I expect more of the same this year. When I talked with Matt earlier this year, he told me both the ice rink and the turf field at the Menard Center were filled with booths, and he was working on setting up more booth space up on a second level above the ice rink.

The show is always an opportunity to get out and see what is new in the outdoors industry. With COVID - related supply chain issues the show might also provide a good opportunity to obtain what boats, outboards, or atvs that are available before the next inseason shortage. Talking with a few folks who have been in that market lately — I have the feeling there will likely be a shortage again this summer. On the other hand if what a a person is looking for is already not available, it may be time to start shopping for 2024. As everyone knows prices have gone up significantly, but there is always hope to find a deal when one starts early and shops around. Many vendors frequently have Show Specials on a variety of products.

I always see friends I’ve been out of contact with for too long when attending the show, and have to catch up a bit on what is happening in their lives. Show hours are 12 noon until 6 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday (also according to the show website admission is $10 for adults, $5 for military with I.D., and free for anyone under 12 years old. On Sunday morning admission is free for everyone!

Since this is a fishing column I will mention the fishing themed seminars to be presented at the show —Ernie Kirby with Bottomline Charters will present Halibut Fishing 111 at 4 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Custom rod builder and Millers RiverboatService owner, Ben Allen will present Fishing Rod Recommendations for Salmon, Trout, and Char in South-central Alaska at 5 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m and 4 p.m. on Saturday. I am scheduled to present How to Clobber Salmon with Bobbers & Bait at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. I will also present Proposing a Fisheries Regulation and Getting it Adopted at 4 p.m. on Saturday. My nephew, Paul Warta is scheduled to man my show booth during hours I will be presenting seminars on the weekend.

For Anglers and Boaters this is the biggest Mat-Su Show I know of for the entire year. I hope to see you there. For additional show information you may visit: https://matsuoutdoorsmanshow.com