ESTEVAN — The B&T Gun Show is happening in Estevan this Saturday and Sunday.
Over 1,000 firearms and a wide variety of gear are on display at the Wylie-Mitchell Hall.
Hundreds of people went through the doors Saturday morning, and event organizer Kevin Thompson hopes the trend will continue into Sunday.
"It's been busy. It's a nice steady flow coming in and out, and it's been going great," Thompson said. "We've got signs all over around Estevan, and hopefully, people come out to check out the event."
About 25 vendors from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta partook in the eighth edition of the event, occupying all 90 tables available. Another 40 tables were on the waiting list, Thompson said. Regular participants were joined by a couple of new ones, changing things up a bit and offering a wide variety of guns and associated goods.
"This is probably the biggest year I've ever seen in ammo, lots of lots of ammo and stuff," Thompson said. "I always keep the same vendors, the ones that have been with me since day one. But it is nice to have somebody new so it's not the same show every single year."
Thompson noted they were expecting a person with the Canadian Firearms Office to join the event, but they didn't come. The Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights (CCFR) was at the location with two tables of merchandise, providing information about what they do.
The organizers decided to forward proceeds from this year's gun show to the Estevan Royal Canadian Legion branch No. 60.
"We donated to them once before," Thompson said. "[We donate the proceeds to] any organizations that need money."
The legion provided members to help the organizers ensure that every single gun entering the building was not loaded and with other duties during the event. Every person exiting the building with firearms is also checked for receipts.
Thompson noted that the show also provides a great opportunity for guests and participants to meet new people and learn.
Last year proceeds from the B&T Gun Show went to the United Way Estevan.
Over the years, over $90,000 has been donated to different charities through the B & T Gun Show, including the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital in Saskatoon, multiple sclerosis and diabetes research, as well as the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation, the legion's Estevan branch and other groups. The organizers also invested and helped build the Estevan pistol range.
The Wylie-Mitchell Air Cadets are running the canteen during the event.
On Saturday, the show goes from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday doors open at 10 a.m. and the show will continue until 3 p.m. Admission is $5, and 11 and under are free.
