Black Hills Sports Show and Sale called a success

By Ryan Woodard, Journal staff | Monday, February 18, 2008

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Crowd numbers for the 2008 Black Hills Sports Show and Sale appear to be about even with the numbers from last year's event, according to event manager Jim Glines.

Glines said crowd numbers were up from last year both Friday and Saturday but down on Sunday. Final attendance figures were not available by news deadline.

The event was a success, Glines said, and new additions such as the Nascar racing simulator and the indoor fishing tank were both hits.

"Overall, things went smoothly," he said.

He said over 1,000 kids fished at the Berkley Outdoor Park fishing tank, and the Nascar simulator was busy throughout the weekend. 

Ron Starky, owner of Green Star Camper Center, said crowds seemed pretty steady.

Starky said he wasn't sure how many people would come to the show because of all the talk he has been hearing about the poor economy.

But he was encouraged by the amount of people who came and showed interest in his campers and other items being sold at the show.

"This has actually jacked me up a little bit," he said, adding that he thinks the show proves Rapid City's economy is doing ok. "I think we're going to have a pretty decent year."

Allen Brown and his wife, Ann, came out to the show Sunday afternoon to check out camper trailers. Brown has been coming to the sports show for four or five years and was impressed with this year's new events.

"I like it," he said. "It's a lot different show compared to the last few years."

The Naja Shriners and The Rapid City Cosmopolitan Club sponsor the show, which has become one of the largest outdoor shows in the region.

The show's proceeds benefit The Naja Shrine Hospital Transportation Fund and The Cosmopolitan Club's Diabetes Research and other local charities

Contact Ryan Woodard at 394-8412 or ryan.woodard@rapidcityjournal.com