CARLISLE - Much like strikes and lockouts by professional sports leagues, when the promoters of the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show cancelled this year's event because of the backlash against its anti-Second Amendment position, a lot of people behind the scenes got hurt.
In the case of sports leagues, arena workers - from vendors to custodial staff - lose a sizeable portion of their annual income. In the case of the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, it was conservation and charitable groups who lost their ability to provide funding to projects.
Now, many of those organizations have the opportunity to recover some of their losses with the inaugural Carlisle Sports and Outdoor Nationals, which makes its debut Friday-Sunday, Sept. 6-8, at the Carlisle Fairgrounds. One of those groups is the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, which held an annual auction of outdoors-related products and services at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show to raise money for scholarships and fund educational outdoors events for youth.
According to Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association executive director Dennis Scharadin and auction coordinator Kermit Henning, donations ranging from fishing tackle to hunting and fishing trips have been collected already for the auction, which will be held Sunday, Sept. 8, beginning at 1 p.m. In addition, many of the outfitters and vendors who are attending the show have pledged their support for the auction and will be donating items.
"Through previous auctions, POWA has raised nearly $400,000, and every penny has gone to programs and organizations that introduce young people to the outdoors all across the state," Henning said. "Thousands of young sportsmen have benefited from monies raised, through youth field days, conservation camps, fishing derbies, shooting events, school nature activities, Boy Scouts, Audubon programs and many more.
"In addition, scholarships to Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown for journalism majors with an interest in communicating the outdoors have been funded. All items sold at the auction are donations from show exhibitors, the POWA and outdoor industry members and others interested in youth in the outdoors.
"Already we have had donations of firearms, wildlife art, hunting and fishing gear, clothing, game calls, archery equipment, books, videos and much more. Over the years POWA has achieved a positive working relationship with many in the outdoors industry and some of the donations have come from those not coming to the show."
Locally, both the Schuylkill County Sportsmen's Association and some of the individual clubs in the organization have received grants from the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association. To apply for a grant, organizations need only apply in writing to Henning at 1115 Apple Drive, Mechanicsburg, Pa. 17055; and information on donating to the auction is available by calling Henning at (717) 766-4834 or Scharadin at (570) 739-2085.
Carlisle Sports and Outdoor Nationals event manager Scott Amig said work began on the show even before the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show was cancelled. Promoters believed there was a need for a fall sports and outdoors show with statewide interest, and they already had the infrastructure in place with their experience of running the many automotive-related shows at the Carlisle Fairgrounds.
When the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show was officially cancelled, many vendors and organizations began making plans to be part of the new Carlisle Sports and Outdoor Nationals. Among the conservation groups that will be at the show are the National Wild Turkey Federation, which will conduct a calling contest; the Pennsylvania Federation of Muzzleloaders, which will conduct a knife and tomahawk contest; Capital City Bassmasters, which will conduct its Casting for Kids contest; and Trout Unlimited, which will conduct fly-tying classes and other events.
"After the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show cancelled, it opened many doors for us," Amig said. "It had a huge negative economic impact on many organizations and vendors, and we believe this will give them an opportunity to help recover their losses." If you go
· WHAT: Carlisle Sports and Outdoor Nationals
· WHEN: Friday-Sunday, Sept. 6-8
· WHERE: Carlisle Fairgrounds
· HOURS: Friday, noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
· WEBSITE: www.carlisleevents.com