×

Hunting, fishing expo set in Elkins

ELKINS — As spring officially settles in around the mountains of West Virginia and local sportsmen prepare for their respective outdoor excursions, a brand-new hunting/fishing attraction is gearing up to serve the region.

The Almost Heaven Hunting and Fishing Expo will be offered April 8-9 at the Phil Gainer Community Center in Elkins.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Community Center, which is operated by the Elkins Parks and Recreation Commission.

The two-day attraction, which is in coordination with the Randolph County Convention and Visitors Bureau and sponsored by Elkins Fordland/Elkins Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, is set for 10 a.m.–7 p.m. on April 8 and noon to 5 p.m. on April 9 and will feature fun for the whole family.

The cost of admission is $3, while children 12 and under are free. The event will include a silent auction and door prize.

“This is the first year that the Almost Heaven Hunting and Fishing Expo has been offered. We have been working steadily on the logistics of the Expo through the winter months and are excited to see it come to fruition as a valuable event for the people of Elkins and the surrounding area. We’d love to see people come out to support the Expo, have a great time, and help turn this into an annual event” EPRC Director Tom Tesar said.

The 10,000 square foot main hall will be full of vendors selling a variety of different sportsman products and informative displays manned by representatives from various government agencies. During the event, Elkins Fordland/ Elkins Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram will display a selection of new vehicles that are offered at the local dealership.

There will be something for the whole family to enjoy at the Almost Heaven Hunting and Fishing Expo. Attractions include an inflatable BB-gun range, an indoor “hover ball” archery range, and an outdoor “archery tag” game, weather permitting.

“This region is rich in hunting and fishing culture – and these traditions span generations,” Phil Gainer Community Center Manager Chris Lee said. “This event will give vendors from outside the region an opportunity to display their products in a new and receptive market during an attraction that locals and visitors — of all ages — will enjoy.”

Saturday will feature a Birds of Prey display and presentation from the staff of the West Virginia Raptor Rehabilitation Center.

Visit the Community Center on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for an up-close experience with these magnificent creatures.

A variety of speakers will be scheduled in the seminar classroom throughout the course of the two-day event, where they will present different programs or demonstrate products. Concessions will be available.

A schedule of presenters will be publicized before the event via the Community Center’s facebook page.

For additional information, contact the Phil Gainer Community Center by calling 304-635-7151 or emailing elkinsrec@gmail.com.

To stay up do date on what’s happening at the Phil Gainer Community Center, including the Almost Heaven Hunting and Fishing Expo, check out the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PhilGainerCommunityCenter/.

Participating Vendors in the 2017 Almost Heaven Hunting and Fishing Expo include: DNS Garden Center, Potomac Highlands Cooperative Weed and Pest Management Area, Xtractor Field Dressing Tool, Smitty’s Suzuki, National Wild Turkey Federation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Girl Scouts Cookies, Tanker Stabilizers, Trinity Communications/Sprint, Elkins Fordland/Elkins Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, Mountaineer Chapter – Izaac Walton League of America, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Hornhounds LLC, Snowshoe Foundation, Ravencrest Tactical, Auto Expo, Jeff’s Jerky, WELK/WDNE, Division of Natural Resources – Wildlife, Division of Natural Resources — Enforcement, Mountain Gold Deer Scents, Elkins Youth Football and Cheerleading, Blazed Barbecue Joint, Mount’N Critters Taxidermy, ScareCrow Lures, Doodle Turkey Calls, GOTCHA! Archery Games and West Virginia Raptor Rehabilitation Center Birds of Prey (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday only).

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $3.92/week.

Subscribe Today