The skies over the First Interstate Bank Center and Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center cleared Thursday morning to reveal a welcome sight for Central Oregon residents, the Central Oregon Sportsmen’s Show. “Record snowfall has made this a particularly challenging set-up”, said Bill O’Loughlin, President of O’Loughlin Trade Shows, the Central Oregon Sportsmen’s Show producer. “Thanks to the help of many we’ve cleared the parking lots and grounds in time for the show. Special thanks to the fairground staff, High Desert Aggregate and Paving, Tim Bloom Construction and others for their help in moving mountains of snow. And of course, it wouldn’t be a show without our exhibitors who have traveled from all over the country and made an enormous effort to be here and participate. We’re grateful to them for their determination and commitment in making the trip and getting set-up.”
Dan Despotopulos, Director of the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center commented, “In my 19 years as the Director of these fairgrounds, this is the most difficult set of conditions we’ve had to overcome. To move as much snow as we have in just a couple days has been a monumental effort. Last weekend we had the Central Oregon High School Equestrian Championships which required we move 2000 yards of dirt out of the arena at the end of the event to prepare the building for the Central Oregon Sportsmen’s Show. That was a huge job in and of itself that required our staff work day and night to move all the dirt. They worked until 2:00 AM Monday morning, stayed on the grounds and with only three hours of sleep were back at it Monday morning getting the facilities and grounds ready for the show. And because of the snow we were unable to get our sweepers into the arena which meant we needed to sweep the entire building by hand.”
O’Loughlin added, “We’re an 80 year old company that’s faced varying levels of adversity dozens of times over the years but this will rate as one of the most taxing. Thankfully, the show will open on time, Thursday at noon, and run through the weekend. A favorable forecast going into the weekend bodes well for the show…to be in this business you have to be optimistic but that’s what sports men and women are — optimistic. Every time they go out fishing, hunting or enjoying the outdoors they go out with with a spirit of optimism they’re going to have a productive day. We’re very much like our attendees…eternal optimists. And in this case, we were right and moved mountains of snow to overcome what most would have termed ‘impossible’ — it’s only impossible if you don’t try.”
The Central Oregon Sportsmen’s Show runs February 28th through March 3rd at the First Interstate Bank Center and Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. For more information and discount coupon, visit thesportshows.com.
