The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Chinook Rod & Gun Club held its Annual Gun and Antique show September 30th and October 1-2 at the Blaine County Fairgrounds Commercial Building. The three day event had a record turnout this year with more than 550 people passing through the doors. "Last year was the first time we broke 500. It was like 520 or something. This year we far exceeded that," said Frank Pehrson.

This year's show featured 78 tables and for the first time all were from Montana. Each day there was plenty going on for vendors and attendees alike and the opportunity to win some great prizes was something everyone looked forward to. One of the prizes being raffled off was a 1/4 beef generously donated by Triangle Communications as part a grant the Club received. The lucky winner was Autumn Dunning from Billings. John Clay was the winner of the 12 gauge Shotgun with his purchase of the correct shot glass. The winner of this years 50/50 drawing was Eric Billmayer.

Kari Econom from Winifred Montana is first year vendor at the show, "I have rifles, pistols, Buck Knives, kind of a mixture of everything." Some of her pistols are older but as far has her rifles on display they are all newer models. Econom enjoys going to shows and displaying her product," The people, meeting new people, going to new place, I really enjoy it." She heard about this show while attending the gun show in Big Sandy, "I did the Big Sandy Gun Show and Keith told me about the Chinook Rod & Gun Clubs show so I thought I would come check it out." Econom was very pleased with the local show, "I love it! I always heard that the Vendors were taken care of very well and that totally has been the case.

Another first time vendor was VatsHats. VatsHats provides assistance with transportation and housing for military veterans and their spouses. In addition, they provide clean linens, towels, food, and transportation to doctor's appointments as well as any other upcoming needs the veteran may have. David Martinez and Delton Decse manned their booths and shared the mission of VatsHats with visitors as they looked through their wares. "Veterans and their spouses housing and transportation services, VATSHATS, that's who we are," said Martinez. Veterans from anywhere are welcome to come to the Shelby Motel, now the VatsHats Motel. It used to be called the Glacier Motel. They bring in their paperwork (DD-214) and we'll put them up. If your homeless and need a place to stay they will put you in there cost free, help you get some food, get some benefits." VatsHats has been to a few gun shows this year in Great Falls and Idaho as well as Chinook selling their merchandise, "Hats, flags, license plates and bumper stickers is mainly what we sell," concluded Martinez.

The Gun and Antique Show's goal is to not only raise money to help it move forward with normal expenditures, but it is the primary source of funds that go to putting on the Annual Kids Fishing Day as well as their Scholarship Fund. Overall organizers of the show were very pleased with this year's show, the turnout was fantastic, and everyone is already looking forward to the show in 2023.