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South River Outdoor Show and Market set for May long weekend

'Last year it was called the South River Outdoor Sportsman Show.  But the word 'Sportsman' gave an image of fishing and hunting and the event is more than that.  So it's been renamed the South River Outdoor Show and Market'

South River Brewing Co. is again treating area residents with a major attraction during the upcoming May long weekend.

The brewer is back with its outdoor trade show after launching the event for the first time last year to great success.

Tanya Liehs, the company's social media strategist, is organizing the two-day event which takes place at the South River-Machar Community Centre. Liehs says many businesses are returning from last year and the event also features several new vendors.

The trade show will be very similar to what the company hosted last year but Liehs says there is one significant change.

“We've changed the name,” Liehs said. “Last year it was called the South River Outdoor Sportsman Show.  But the word 'Sportsman' gave an image of fishing and hunting and the event is more than that.  So it's been renamed the South River Outdoor Show and Market”.

Liehs began preparing for this year's event in February when she began reaching out to past vendors about coming back for the 2023 show. Most said yes. Liehs said some couldn't commit this year because of staffing shortages. After contacting past vendors, Liehs also used her social media skills to attract new vendors.

This included researching business people who attended the Toronto Sportsman Show and were within a 90-minute drive of South River. She also went on Google and Instagram identifying businesses in the North Bay, Mattawa, Powassan, and Huntsville regions whose goods suit the upcoming show.

Closer to home, Liehs went through the Almaguin Business Directory and reached out to shop owners who again carried inventory with an outdoor theme. The work paid off because there are only a few booths left for rent.

Booths come in two sizes and their prices are unchanged from last year. The 10' by 15' booths are $200 and the larger 20' by 15' booths are available for $500.

Liehs says business people can go online hit the 'I want to be a vendor' button for details on how to register. The website also lists vendors who are coming to the event and is updated regularly.

 All the vendors will be inside the arena except for newcomer Muskoka Goat Away. The Huntsville-based business will be on site with its goats and is sure to be a big draw for children. Liehs says people can be photographed with the goats and the cost is simply a donation of your choice.

Spectators with waterfront properties may find Cottage Classic Floating Docks of Emsdale an interesting booth to see or Survival Gear Canada of Sprucedale which specializes in outdoor survival gear and equipment like knives, axes, lighting, cords, cooking tools, clothing and books.

Another confirmed vendor is Arcadia Off Grid Community, with a shop near South River, that specializes in Tiny Homes and Backwoods Dog of Sprucedale which makes durable dog gear.

The company 89 Main in Sundridge, which has several offerings including renting paddle boards and kayaks for people wanting to venture onto Bernard Lake in Sundridge, will also have a booth at the event.

Liehs says Canadian Forces Base North Bay is also on-site with a tank as well as the South River-Machar Fire Department with its firefighting equipment.

Outside the arena, the local Lions' Club will prepare food and South River Brewing Co. will have a beer tent up.

During the inaugural year, an outdoor area was set aside for people who had recreational vehicles or watercraft for sale like canoes, ATVs and boats and Liehs says this feature is back. It's called the Used Outdoor Marketplace and people with outdoor goods to sell need to visit the website and hit the 'Please Fill Out This Form' button for details on how to market your used item. People can either sell or trade their goods and the cost to do this is $25, the same price as last year.

The admission price for the public to take in the entire event is $5 but kids 13 and under get in free.

Liehs says the South River Outdoor Show and Market is family-friendly and she adds the goal “from here is to make it an annual event”.

Liehs says the timing for the event to coincide with the May long weekend is deliberate because that's when many people with cottages in the Almaguin area come up to open their seasonal homes.

“It's a nice way to kick off the unofficial start to summer,” Liehs said. “There will be lots to see and things for people to do.”

The South River Outdoor Show and Market takes place Saturday, May 20th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 21st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Rocco Frangione is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the North Bay Nugget. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.