The second annual Olds Gun and Antique show took aim in the Cow Palace this weekend, drawing an estimated 1,000 visitors to see the wares of 150 vendors.
Show manager Linda Toews said she was very pleased with the turnout, both in visitors and vendors, especially considering the economic downturn over the past few years.
"We saw lots of goodies going out the door," she said, "both firearms and antiques, so that was a good sign."
Toews said the combination event was quite successful and that vendors like the idea of overlapping a gun show with an antique show.
"Typically it's men that like guns and women that like antiques," she said, noting they have plenty of women out who enjoy guns and shooting, but said she thought many gun shows lose out on coupled visitors who might not both be firearm fans.
Toews herself was a vendor on both sides of the show ñ at one table she sold black powder and accessories used for antique and replica firearms; at the other she was hawking old books.
In addition to offering up an interesting weekend to visitors, the show is also a fundraiser for local charities. Proceeds from ticket sales and a silent auction will benefit Olds and District Special Olympics, Olds Search and Rescue and the Keystone Youth Theatre.
"Each group comes out and participates," said Toews, who was especially pleased to see Special Olympic athletes manning the ticket sale. "It gives people a chance to see these great athletes and meet them."
All in all, Toews said the event was bigger than last year, and she hopes the trend will continue.
"We're hoping to build on it and grow it in the future."
"We saw lots of goodies going out the door, both firearms and antiques."LINDA TOEWSSHOW MANAGER
