44th annual State of Maine Sportsman’s Show in Augusta draws big weekend turnout

AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) – Thousands flocked to the 44th annual State of Maine Sportsman Show at the Augusta Civic Center this weekend. The event is organized by The Maine Sportsman magazine and the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine.

“We have 125 exhibitors, with anything you want that relates to the outdoors, ATV’s, boats, fishing gear, hunting gear, trapping gear. We average around 8,000 people through here over 2 1/2 days,” says Will Lund, Managing Editor of The Maine Sportsman.

Organizers say it’s a great opportunity to not only meet readers of the magazine, but to bond over shared interested in the Maine outdoors.

“Sometimes I’ll ask them what their favorite article is, and what really puts a spring in my step is if they tell me that my article is their favorite one, and that is very enjoyable to hear,” says Douglas Tibbetts, a writer for The Maine Sportsman and retired game warden for the state of Maine.

“All of the readers are looking forward to the open water season coming up, but many of our subscribers are here and we get to see them every year,” says Lund.

Many seminars, demonstrations and exhibits throughout the weekend helped to satisfy attendees during a period of downtime.

“We’re in between ice fishing, so you can’t really go to that anymore. For most places in the state, open water starts next week, so it’s a way to release some of that that pressure for kids and their parents,” says David Trahan, Executive Director of Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine.

Local businesses and non-profits were also given the chance to promote the significance of outdoor culture across the state. Those in attendance say the event provides a warm welcome going into the upcoming season.

“Maine outdoor industry is really just one big family, so we’re all kind of in the same boat. We all support the same activities in the outdoors and its therapeutic for everyone to get outside,” says Nicole Waite, President of Operation Reboot Outdoors — a recreational therapy non-profit that assists veterans.

“This has been a really tough, cold winter. People are itching to get out. Our organization represents sportsmen, conservationists, trappers — This is a way for us all to get together and come out of our homes in that new fresh spring air. I think it’s kind of a sign of spring,” says Trahan.

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