Under the Canopy
On Outdoor Journal Radio's Under the Canopy podcast, former Minister of Natural Resources, Jerry Ouellette takes you along on the journey to see the places and meet the people that will help you find your outdoor passion and help you live a life close to nature and Under The Canopy.
Under the Canopy
Episode 83: The Toronto Sportsmen's Show with Mike Blakoe
What makes the Toronto Sportsman Show such a cherished event among outdoor enthusiasts? Join us as we sit down with Show Manager, Mike Blakoe, who walks us through the show's rich history and cultural significance. Along the way, we explore the sense of family tradition tied to the event and even tackle the logistical hurdles posed by Toronto's notorious traffic.
The excitement doesn't stop there. This year's fishing and outdoor show promises an exhilarating lineup that caters to both seasoned pros and curious newcomers. Picture yourself exploring booths from top-tier vendors or getting involved in family-friendly activities such as archery, brought to you by the National Archery School Program. We spotlight the introduction of new segments, from river and fly fishing areas to a camping zone sponsored by Coleman, complemented by fascinating seminars. It's a celebration of the outdoors designed to captivate enthusiasts of all ages!
How did a small-town sheet metal mechanic come to build one of Canada's most iconic fishing lodges? I'm your host, steve Nitzwicky, and you'll find out about that and a whole lot more on the Outdoor Journal Radio Network's newest podcast, diaries of a Lodge Owner. But this podcast will be more than that. Every week on Diaries of a Lodge Owner, I'm going to introduce you to a ton of great people, share their stories of our trials, tribulations and inspirations, learn and have plenty of laughs along the way. Meanwhile we're sitting there bobbing along trying to figure out how to catch a bass, and we both decided one day we were going to be on television doing a fishing show. My hands get sore a little bit when I'm reeling in all those bass in the summertime, but that's might be for more fishing than it was punching you so confidently.
Speaker 1:You said hey. Pat, have you ever eaten a drum? Find Diaries of a Lodge Owner now on Spotify, apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.
Speaker 2:As the world gets louder and louder, the lessons of our natural world become harder and harder to hear, but they are still available to those who know where to listen. Still available to those who know where to listen. I'm Jerry Ouellette and I was honoured to serve as Ontario's Minister of Natural Resources. However, my journey into the woods didn't come from politics. Rather, it came from my time in the bush and a mushroom. In 2015, I was introduced to the birch-hungry fungus known as chaga, a tree conch with centuries of medicinal applications used by Indigenous peoples all over the globe. After nearly a decade of harvest use, testimonials and research, my skepticism has faded to obsession and I now spend my life dedicated to improving the lives of others through natural means. But that's not what the show is about. My pursuit of the strange mushroom and my passion for the outdoors has brought me to the places and around the people that are shaped by our natural world. On Outdoor Journal Radio's Under the Canopy podcast, I'm going to take you along with me to see the places, meet the people that will help you find your outdoor passion and help you live a life close to nature and under the canopy. So join me today for another great episode and hopefully we can inspire a few more people to live their lives under the canopy. Live their lives under the canopy Well. Welcome to all our listeners and, as always, we want to thank all those people all across Canada, united States, actually Switzerland, ghana, trinidad, tobago and all around the world that listen to us, because we really appreciate you taking the time to listen to us and, as usual, if you've got any suggestions for a show or questions you want answered, let us know. Just email us and we'll be more than happy to see what we can do to get the answers for you.
Speaker 2:Now, this morning was one of those ones and I couldn't believe it, but I've got to tell you. I was out last night shoveling snow and this morning out shoveling snow and it was shocking that that, of course, we get our municipal tax bill this month and for the first time ever I walk out this morning and the roads plowed. Well, imagine that. Somebody trying to make sure that everything's well taken care of because they want to make sure that the tax bill gets paid this month. I guess I usually don't get that. It's normally a couple of days after a snowfall, but we're out shoveling before we take our chocolate lab out for his usual run with Cooper, another chocolate lab and a German short-haired Willie. We're out there all gallivanting as usual, and this morning we got something special, because it's that time of the year. We got a special guest, mike Blanco from the Toronto Sportsman Show. Welcome to the program, mike.
Speaker 3:Hey, thanks very much, Jerry. It's great to chat.
Speaker 2:Well, I got to tell you, mike. You know it's a family tradition in my place. You know when the Sportsman Show comes up, the ad goes on the fridge and everybody knows when we're going, because it's the Saturday that we always ended up as a family going. But tell us a bit about yourself, mike. Where are you from?
Speaker 3:Well, I'm originally from Thornhill, Ontario, born and raised there and currently reside in Newmarket, ontario.
Speaker 2:So kind of for our listeners from the States and around the world, where is Thornhill and where's Newmarket? Just so for people from Toronto, I guess.
Speaker 3:Yeah, absolutely so. Thornhill is about, I'm going to say, half an hour from Toronto and Newmarket's probably 45 minutes. That's just regular time If traffic. It's probably, you know, three or four hours from Toronto, but just regular distance. It's probably, you know, three or four hours from Toronto, but just regular distance. It's about half an hour 45 minutes.
Speaker 2:Oh my, do. I know the traffic stuff in Toronto. I got to tell you. You know, when I was driving back and forth to Queen's Park it was amazing the amount of time, but we've been able to help out with that significantly when we spent our time there. Now, how long have you been doing the shows, mike? Like not just the Sportsman Show, but you've been involved in other shows as well. How long have you been doing these shows?
Speaker 3:Yeah, for probably above 15, 20 years now, involved in a couple of other. You know industries, mostly power sports, and you know when, when COVID popped up, I had a, I just had a chance to, you know, work with, with the Sportsman Show and it's, you know, it's a show that I've been going to since I was five, you know, five or six years old, and you know I just couldn't, I couldn't, you know, give up the, give up the chance to work and it's such an iconic event like this, it's the best show and what's your position with the show, Mike?
Speaker 2:So people know.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I am the, uh, the show manager, uh, of the, you know, of the event. So you know, uh, you know I'm I'm looking after, you know, making sure that, uh, you know the right vendors and the right features and all those types of things are are there. You know, the right vendors and the right features and all those types of things are there. You know, and it's a wonderful, you know it's such a wonderful show just because it's, you know, it's been around for 77 years. It's just, you know, an iconic event. It was the show before there was boat shows, before there was car shows, before there was any shows, there was car shows. Before there was any shows, there was the sportsman show.
Speaker 2:So oh yeah, it's yeah long history. And, and I know, last year we had david on, but this year it's great to have the show manager because, well, we tried last year but you were just swamped and it's not easy being a show manager trying to arrange this stuff. Everybody's just like what's the big deal? Well, it is a big deal. It takes a long time to organize this stuff, doesn't it?
Speaker 3:It really, it really really does. You know and and I mean it's, it's not just about the show, you know itself, it's, it's, it's all about the you know leading up to the show. You know we want to, we want to provide, you know, the best value for our vendors and and and make sure that we're, you know, helping them promote before the show and really make sure that, you know, every detail is looked after so there's no surprises and everything runs smoothly. So, yes, it's a lot of work for sure.
Speaker 2:Well, when I worked in the outdoor industry, I was in charge of all the consumer trade shows across Canada. That was just essentially attending staffing and all that. You've got a much bigger job and I know I'm sitting there and if that guy's back next year, I'm not being beside him and get his job. That is to take care of you, Mike.
Speaker 3:That's right, that's exactly right. But I mean it's not a cheap endeavor, for you know vendors and to do trade shows, so you know anything we can do honestly to make it easier. That's what we're supposed to do, so you know it's just part of it.
Speaker 2:Yeah, from a vendor's, and I'll be there with again, as always, with Chaga Health and Wellness, and I'll let you know now a little secret and those listening will find out we're announcing a brand new product line, as we did last year product line, as we did last year, and it'll be the. Actually we'll have it's Chaga, of course, with roasted dandelion root and roasted chicory root in the same unit, and it because people come in, mike, and they ask for I want the mushroom coffee and one of the things that we found with the business that I'm in and we're going to get back to the show which, but it's. It's like what does that mean when people ask me for the mushroom coffee? And every time I put a new line on um in our uh, on our website, uh, within two weeks all the competitors have do the same thing and they all have gotten mushroom coffees now.
Speaker 2:So I've been looking for an alternative because a lot of people did not want something with caffeine, and this new one is close to being a coffee taste with no caffeine. And chicory root and dandelion root are of a history of working with liver and kidney issues as well as blood purification, so we'll be launching that and that'll be our big one. And actually, mike, last year we launched the apple cinnamon and we actually had people who listened to the podcast that came up from the States to pick up the new product. I was. I was shocked because of the wow which, which was great, you know the guy says oh.
Speaker 2:He says uh, you know. He says uh, I uh drove up to to to get your new product that you're talking about bringing out, and I said oh, yeah, that's good. I said I showed up at the end of the day and, um, I said, uh, we're sold out today, but we'll have more for you tomorrow if you want. He said no, no, I just drove up for the day. I said oh, where'd you drive from? And he says Ohio. I said what I said you, sir, we're going to take care of you. He said no, I won't be here tomorrow. I just came for the day day. But we took care of him, of course, and I'm sure he's going to be back again because he had a thoroughly wonderful time and bring lots more people from the States as well.
Speaker 3:Good, good, yeah, that's quite a day trip, for sure.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and that's the sort of outreach that the Toronto Sportsman Show has is bringing in people from the States and all across Ontario and other places as well, to make sure, now, mike, tell us about some of the vendors that you've got coming to the show like, which are the usual ones, and of course, there's somebody, I think, celebrating a special thing.
Speaker 3:I believe the Fishing Canada guys, absolutely the Fishing Canada guys there, you know, will be there as always. I believe it's their 40th year. This year They'll be celebrating 40 years. 40 years They've been. You know the, the, you know the icons of, of the sport really. I mean, they're, you know, you, you see their faces and and you know, you know, I can, I can remember, you know, watching them um, forever. You know, not that they're old, but uh, you know Ang wouldn't be very happy with that, but you know. So Ang wouldn't be very happy with that, but you know.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, they'll be there and last year I helped coordinate it a bit, but they had the premiere out at the Sportsman Show. We had the premiere at the Sportsman Show for a number of years actually and it's great to have the premiere out because it's always good to have individuals like that and went over fantastic, and he sat down and they recorded a podcast there and it was great to see. But who else we got coming to your show?
Speaker 3:well, I mean, we have, uh, you know, a, a ton of a ton of you know new and and and you know old vendors, um, that have that have been there. Uh, we have, um, you know, of course we've got the. You know the staple, leo. Uh, you know, from fish tv, leo from Fish TV, he's always a great part of the show. We've got manufacturers like Rapala 13 Fishing, pure Fishing, st Quall, rods, daiwa, it just goes on and on of all the manufacturers and fishing guys at the show this year. And, of course, you know, I can't ever not mention the Ministry of Natural Resources. I believe they're the. You know they're the single oldest partner, or maybe the OFAH is right there with them, but they both put on an amazing show. Oh, yeah, yeah, the.
Speaker 2:M&R shows up with a big team. They've got a great display there with all kind of you know tanks and people talk about the various programs that they have. They have COs in attendance there and it's great to see that kind of outreach by the Ministry of Natural Resources and through the government of Ontario, bringing them out as well as the casting pond. We still got the casting pond this year.
Speaker 3:Absolutely. We still have the casting pond. It's a, you know, it's just a favorite of everybody, you know, right to the seasoned, you know angler, to the absolute newest anglers to the sport. And I mean that's one thing the ministry loves is and that was a comment said back to me was Mike. We can't believe how many people came to the show and tried to cast for the very first time, which is huge for the sport, first time, which, which is huge for you know, which is huge for the sport, introducing new anglers to to, you know, to the sport, it's, it's super important for for everybody.
Speaker 2:So but it's not just a fishing show, though. Right Too, because you've got the ATV people there, the touring people, people looking to to to go on a a remote lodge, kind of thing. Maybe you can elaborate on that a little bit, mike.
Speaker 3:Yeah no for sure, we certainly have. You know we've introduced a couple of new segments this year. We've introduced a river and fly fishing area, so that's a new, you know that's a new area, and there'll be fly fishing casting lanes there. Um, that's sponsored by uh wuff, uh wuff rod company and that whole area is actually sponsored by live to fish. Um, and we've got a new camping area this year, um, which, which is which is awesome.
Speaker 3:Uh, you know, we had some, we had some surveys and and one of the, you know, one of the the largest segments that was mentioned as things people wanted to see at the show was more camping, and so, yeah, I was a little bit surprised as well. So, you know, we, we called up our friends at Coleman and they came, they came on as the title sponsor of the camping area. So that's going to be a cool interactive area. You know we're going to have some. We're going to have some cornhole. Know we're going to have some. We're going to have some corn hole there. We're going to have some, you know, interactive display. We've got the you know, the girl guides coming out to, you know be part of it.
Speaker 2:So that's going to be a whole family event, because there's stuff for kids to do as well. Right, I think they've got a kid actions with OFH, or I imagine that. Well, the casting pond, of course, yeah, but then there's all the other things that the kids can do as well that maybe you can. Just what have they got lined up, or is that all taken care of again this year? I mean, I think the OFH had some archery stuff they could do and things like that.
Speaker 3:Yeah, they absolutely will be running that archery program, the? Uh it's, it's called the nasp? Um national archery school program. Uh, and that's, you know a great program that uh, they run. So it's it's great to have you know safe and and and you know quality teachers, uh, teaching anyone really how to you know how to how to archery. Uh, we've got the casting pond, as always. Uh, we've got a a couple of kids, different kids areas, um one in one inside the? Uh the fish TV booth, one inside the? Um the refuge. Uh, we've got um, you know, as I said, that are that archery program, um archery program and the casting pond, and we've got a couple of you know we've got a couple of other you know areas that can do some interactive stuff.
Speaker 2:Well, and some of the other stuff though too, and it's not, it's a whole family event, because you've got different lectures and seminars, because I know I've done a number of seminars there about the Chaga and about other things. I think last year I brought people in spruce sprigs or sumac tea and a bunch of stuff like that for people to try, and there's other ones there, and maybe you can just kind of talk, because I think the fishing is a big attraction for a lot of people. Come to sit on the fishing seminars. What kind of seminars you got lined up for this year?
Speaker 3:Yeah, we definitely have, um, we definitely have a a a great, a great speaker from Chaga. Um, you know, set up, we we've got, uh, you know, a lot of great. Uh, you know a lot of great. Uh, you know, guys signed up both on the fishing seminar and the and the hunting seminar. Uh, we're going to have, uh, steve, have Steve from Rackstacker there. We're going to have Eleanor from Myco Canine doing some dog stuff. The angling stage is going to have just a tremendous amount of seasoned pros from all the manufacturers.
Speaker 1:Hi everybody. I'm Angelo Viola and I'm Pete Bowman. Now you might know us as the hosts of Canada's favorite fishing show, but now we're hosting a podcast. That's right Every Thursday, Ang and I will be right here in your ears bringing you a brand new episode of Outdoor Journal Radio. Hmm, Now, what are we going to talk about for two hours every week?
Speaker 4:Well, you know there's going to be a lot of fishing.
Speaker 6:I knew exactly where those fish were going to be and how to catch them, and they were easy to catch.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but it's not just a fishing show. We're going to be talking to people from all facets of the outdoors, from athletes, All the other guys would go golfing. Me and Garton Turk and all the Russians would go fishing To scientists. But now that we're reforesting- and letting things breathe.
Speaker 6:It's the perfect transmission environment for life.
Speaker 5:To chefs If any game isn't cooked properly, marinated, you will taste it.
Speaker 1:And whoever else will pick up the phone, wherever you are.
Speaker 2:Outdoor Journal Radio seeks to answer the questions and tell the stories of all those who enjoy being outside. Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. And now it's time for another testimonial for Chaga Health and Wellness. Okay, we're here in Lindsay, Ontario, with Rusty, who's up from California and visits us every year, and Rusty has been a faithful Chaga user for a long time. Rusty, maybe you can just tell us about your experience with Chaga?
Speaker 4:Well, I feel that it's had a significant impact on my health and well-being. I believe in what I'm doing. I think that Jerry is very knowledgeable on it. If he says something, I take that very seriously.
Speaker 4:He has spent most of his life in the health care field and certainly knows what he's talking about, and I like to be around people like that because that's what keeps me healthy. And I'm 80 now and I'm going to try to enjoy what I, what I've created with the motorcycle, and one thing another which will require that I live for at least another 10 years to get back what I've invested in my health and wellness.
Speaker 2:So so you're seeing a, you're seeing a big benefit from it an overall healthy environment and when you go back to California next month, you actually take quite a bit with you back to California, don't you?
Speaker 4:Oh yes, we're going to be there for eight months and we don't want to run out, so we take it back and we take it every day and you know, like I say, it's not a problem for me.
Speaker 2:Right, so how do you take it, rusty?
Speaker 4:I put a tablespoon or a teaspoon rather in my coffee each morning. Okay, when I brew the coffee, yeah, and I put it in as the coffee's brewing. I put that in with it.
Speaker 2:Oh, very good.
Speaker 4:And I put a little bit of cinnamon in with it too, right. And then I sweeten my coffee because, to take the bitterness, a little bit of bitterness, I use a chaga and maple mix. Very good that you make up for those that want to be well and stay well.
Speaker 2:Okay, well, thanks very much. We appreciate you taking the time and sharing your Chaga experience with you, and we'll make sure you have a safe trip back to California.
Speaker 4:Sure enough, all right, okay, thank you, jerry, yeah.
Speaker 2:Thanks, Rusty, Thanks sir.
Speaker 4:My pleasure.
Speaker 2:We interrupt this program to bring you a special offer from Chaga Health and Wellness. If you've listened this far and you're still wondering about this strange mushroom that I keep talking about and whether you would benefit from it or not, I may have something of interest to you. To thank you for listening to the show, I'm going to make trying Chaga that much easier by giving you a dollar off all our Chaga products at checkout. All you have to do is head over to our website, chagahealthandwellnesscom, place a few items in the cart and check out with the code CANOPY C-A-N-O-P-Y. If you're new to Chaga, I'd highly recommend the regular Chaga tea. This comes with 15 tea bags per package and each bag gives you around five or six cups of tea. Hey, thanks for listening.
Speaker 2:Back to the episode how big is this show? When people are thinking about, well, is it worthwhile to drive up from Ohio? I got to tell you when they drive up from Ohio and they came back and they're coming back, they'll be back next year. Yeah, it's a great thing. How big is the show Like? What are we talking? How many you know? Kind of give us an outside so people understand. Is it just because somebody has an idea of a show, and yours is the show, so let us know how big the people can expect.
Speaker 3:Yeah, absolutely so. We are just about at, you know, 400,000 square feet this year 400,000 square feet.
Speaker 3:Yeah, okay, of vendors and you know fun and activities. And one thing I did forget to mention was we also have for the kids the rc track, um, a remote control track, uh, brought to you by yeah, brought to you by cooperators and the, uh, the ontario federation of atvs. So that's, that's one little you know one kid thing that kind of slipped my mind I thought I'd mention. So that's good. Yeah, I mean, I mean the shows, the shows made up of, uh, you know the hunting uh, hunting and outdoor is hall one. Hall two is the fishing uh and outfitters, uh, hall five is the you know a little bit more hunting, um, the off-road ATV and, of course, the. You know one of the one of the most popular areas that the show is the Overland uh area as well, which is, is is brought to you by Overland North.
Speaker 2:So that's a great area and what's the Overland area? What is?
Speaker 3:that, well, that's, that's an area that, um, you know Overlanding is it's, it's it's camping, um, but it's, it's not camping. Is it's camping but it's not camping. You know it's more of a destination. You know endeavor you go from, you know it's more about the journey rather than the destination, and so you know it can be done on an ATV, it can be done on a motorcycle, but you know there's a lot of these, these vehicles now that have you know tent campers and you know showers and kitchens and all these things you know we call glamping. Well, yeah, yeah, absolutely, but they're on wheels. You know right, yeah, it's, it's just. Ever since you know the covid has come up, it's grown by gangbusters. A lot of people do it. They don't know, probably, that it's called overlanding, but it's such, it's just it's grown gangbusters at the show and people, you know people love it because you know it's camping, it's being out in the wilderness and kind of live, you know, without hotels and that kind of stuff.
Speaker 2:It's a great sport, I believe, the Ministry of Tourism they're back again as well, because Destination North is it and all those groups that have been there in the past with the government and making sure that anybody wanting to come to Ontario knows where to go and gets the information they need to be.
Speaker 3:Absolutely, carol, and the team from Destination Ontario is front and center as always. You know they put on a great show and they have, you know, a number of you know guests in their booth Ruth, the, you know, ange and Pete go there.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah, you know the guys from. Yeah, it's a whole kind of thing in clothing. If you're looking for clothing, there's lots of clothing people out there. You know, everything from sleeping bags to you name. It is available there and the stuff and I really enjoy just a lot of times going up and down and watching and there's areas that if people want to bring their own lunch, they can have their own lunch, or they got food vendors there and all that kind of stuff too.
Speaker 3:Yeah, no, absolutely. I mean, it's a one-stop shop. We certainly want, you know, we want every single person to come in and experience new things, uh, experience the experience, the outdoors. Uh, you know, maybe maybe you, maybe you're a camper and you know you've never thought about taking up, uh, you know, hunting or or fishing, or ATVing, uh, but we want you to experience it and it's just one of the things. You know that we want every single person to kind of walk by every single booth and it's, you know, it's endless the opportunities that people have at the shows. And you know, we want to make sure that they, you know they can eat there, they can do whatever, you know, whatever they want to do there. We have a. You know they can, they can eat there, they can do whatever, you know, whatever they want to do there.
Speaker 3:We have a, you know, a couple of different, three or four different food stations, one in each hall, lots of extra seating. We've actually turned a hall, one of the halls hall four, yeah, hall four into a large restaurant. A couple of years ago we had, you know, we ran into a little bit of a problem. There was just, I mean, a great problem to have, but there was, there was too many people there and we didn't have enough seating. They were sitting in hallways and it was just, and you feel terrible when you know you don't, you don't want families to have that experience at the show. And so you know us and the International Seminar, you know we had some discussions and just make sure that, hey, we have enough people, you know, enough seats for families to, you know, really enjoy the show and experience.
Speaker 2:So there's a bunch of stages there that if people want to take a break and sit down and listen to a seminar. How many stages you got set up for this year? And because there's the one, what in the I usually did the outdoor stage which was over in the hunting hall? A state hall one is that, but there's other stages around that and in the hall five. What's going on in hall five and tell us about the stages and where they are and what you expect to have at each of them?
Speaker 3:Yeah, for sure. So I mean we have one. So the hunting stage that we usually have in the outdoor area in Hall 1, we've moved that to Hall 5. Okay, the you know the retriever trials in in hall five, where you know one of the, you know one of the, you know, most popular events at the show, uh, is definitely the retriever trials. We have the ministry, the ministry dogs there. We have the uh, you know, we have the shed dogs there. We have, uh, just numerous, numerous, um, you know, presentations by dogs. And we've also moved the refuge down there as well which is dedicated to everything, waterfowl hunting. And so you know, we've got a great, you know we've got a great part of that Hall 5, as you know those segments, and we thought, you know what, even a great fit to put that hunting, that outdoor stage In hole one. It was kind of tucked, you know, it was kind of tucked up in the back.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you didn't really notice it.
Speaker 3:Right, unless you kind of stumbled on it or you know, looking at the map. So you know we didn't really like that. You know what I mean. So we put it in, you know, this year in a much, you know much more, you know pivotal area Right, and so people will notice it, people will enjoy it and there will always be a, you know, a crowd watching those seminars. So that's the outdoor stage in Hall 5. We also have, of course, the pro angler stage in Hall 2, where it has all types of anglers talking about fishing and playing and cooking fish. Anything to do with fishing will be on that stage. In the refuge we have a little bit of a stage for some waterfowl presentations and stuff that's brought to you by Real Geese. They're the sponsors of that stage and, yeah, I think that sums up the stages we have at the show.
Speaker 2:Very good know the uh, you know the stages we have at the at the show very good. Yeah, what kind of uh times or the, what is the time, the, the times for the show and the dates? We haven't gotten into that. So people want to listen. They can find out the dates and the times. Just we won't have to mention that a couple of times. So the um, the dates and the times for the show would be good for the people to and get a good understanding of when's the and when are the busy times, so if it's really packed again they can come in a different time.
Speaker 3:Yeah, absolutely so. Uh, the show is, uh, march 13th, the 16th, and the show runs from 10 to 7 on Thursday, 10 to 7 on Friday, 9 to 7 on Saturday and 10 to 5 on Sunday, and now Saturday morning is the busiest time at the show. Last year we had to literally stop letting people through the doors for about 45 minutes on Saturday morning. So you know what I mean, which is it's a great problem to have, but not not a problem that's, you know, great for great for attendees. You know, it's just so, it's so busy, it doesn't, you know it doesn't work for, for anybody, you know. So we love people to come, you know, thursday, come Friday, come Sunday, come Saturday afternoon. It's it's not quite as you know that that Saturday morning is, you know it's, that's the, that is the busiest, busiest time. So it, you know we want you to come when you can, but you know, just know, you're coming, that Saturday morning it's going to be, it's going to be tough.
Speaker 2:Well, that's good and I can recall, you know it was. I remember when that was a 10 day show and that was hard on the vendors to try and staff to like, if you have a business you try to take all the bit, run the business and do the show. And to go to a four-day show is yay from a vendor's perspective. Otherwise you're tied up in your, your inventory do you have, do you have it at your store, do you have it there, do you have it at the show? And on and on. The list goes on. So a four-day show works out a lot better for vendors and, believe me, as a vendor there, a four-day show is way better than a 10-day show. You know it. It tries to coincide basically with a lot of the spring break here in Ontario. Yep, and so it was. It was pretty busy but, uh, difficult on the vendors to staff to to make sure we got the stock and everything else. So a lot of great things that take place.
Speaker 2:And and the dog show. Now, I had a great dog show last year. It was in a bit of a different hall, I think, was it not? Yeah, hall 5, yep, hall 5. And it's back again this year the dog show. Well, the Dream Tree Retriever Trial, as you mentioned right.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's exactly right and yes, it definitely is. Back at this year's show. We've got a couple of, you know a couple of different sponsors at that show, you know, through the area. So we have, first of all, I guess in that area we have the Ministry Canine Conservation Program. They bring their, you know their animals and and just show off how they, you know, how they train them, um, you know, they're specially, they're definitely specially trained, uh, detect, um a number of a number of things out in the field.
Speaker 3:Um, we have the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association there and they're, you know, different breeds of pointing dogs. So they have some demonstrations on, you know, bird pointing. We have the Canadian antler dogs and we have the Georgian Bay shed dogs and, as always, we have the Ontario Hunting Retrievers Association and their demonstrations and trials. So every minute of every day at the Retriever Trials area there will be a dog show going on. Oh, good, so you don't have to, you know, anytime that you're at the show you can make it to that hole five and just, you know, catch a show, you can come back and there'll be another different show coming on, going on. So there's, you know, four or five, maybe six different shows going on in that area every single day.
Speaker 2:Well, and, like you mentioned earlier on Fishing Canada, guys, ange and Pete, will be there. They're huge celebrities in the fishing field. They've got number one fishing show in Canada, ranks all around the world and they've got a 40th anniversary that they're celebrating, which is great to see, and their team will all be there and they have a big booth so you'll be able to talk to those guys and they not only work their booth, but they're also in the Destination North I think Is that what that one's called with Carol, destination Ontario, destination Ontario. Yep, and Ange and Pete work over there with them as well, between back and forth with their, and Dean will be there and, I'm sure, all the rest of the team that Ange will bring out to celebrate his 40th anniversary, which is great, yep.
Speaker 2:So, and individuals, if they want to come and see us, we're at booth number us being Chaga, health and Wellness and, of course, under the podcast, we'll be there as well. We're at booth number 2105 and you can come and try the brand new what we're calling a coffee substitute, the Morning Glory, the roasted chicory root, roasted dandelion root and chaga, and it is actually, it's very, very popular. I move four units of that for every one of the other ones because it's so popular. But that's good to see, yeah, so yeah and anything else that you think that because there's so many things there, mike, that you know we just how do we get it all in on when? What else is people want to see in the draw? I'm surprised the camping that you got some responses there. That was good to see and that you've responded to those responses to bring in the camping areas in a big way.
Speaker 3:Yeah, no, it's, it's it's important to you know, to, you know, get some feedback, and good feedback or bad feedback is both good, you know. So, yeah, those are you know, the exact reasons why we, you know, we brought a couple of these new segments into the show. It's because that's that's what people want to see. And I mean you want to, you want to deliver, you know, on your promises. So it's definitely. You know, one thing that we want to see, and, and I mean you want to, you want to deliver, um, you know on your promises. So it's definitely, uh, you know one thing that we want to do. Um, one thing I did also want to mention was in the, you know, in the destination Ontario um area, we do have, um, you know, the Beasley brothers will be, will be there. Um, those are, you know, some, some, some pretty good, some pretty good guys, uh, super nice guys, and, and you know you could meet them in in the Destination Ontario booth all weekend. Yeah, that's great.
Speaker 2:Okay, Mike, how do people like where is the show at, Give us some details and how they can get more information where it's at, Go over the times again and is there a website or an email? They can look at some stuff and and get some better understanding of the great show that you're putting on for us out there yeah, absolutely so.
Speaker 3:The um, the shows at the international center in toronto, that's airport road and dairy 6900 airport road. Um. The dates are march 13th to the 16th. The time of the show 10 to 7 on Thursday, 10 to 7 on Friday, 9 to 7 on Saturday and 10 to 5 on Sunday. You can just find us online at Toronto Sports Show or Toronto Sports Show or Toronto Sports Show, I should say One S there, torontosportshowca and you can certainly get tickets and all the information you know exhibitor lists, floor plans, features lists, the schedule for all of these features will be on there. They might not all be on there as this second, but in the next couple of weeks there you'll be able to, you know, go and see, you know when the dogs are happening, when these speakers are happening, and all the information that you're going to need to kind of plan your trip.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so, yeah, so yeah, people can go online, just as you said, and the tickets are available online. You can get them at the door as well. Absolutely yeah, and you can get them at the door and looking forward to a great show. And, mike, I just want to thank you for taking the time to enlighten us, because when people are driving up from Ohio just to come to see the show.
Speaker 4:That's a good thing.
Speaker 2:So it's promoting Ontario and we want to make sure everything that's going on brings those businesses to Ontario, and you're doing a great job at that.
Speaker 3:Well, we appreciate I appreciate that very, very much and you know great to have, you know great vendors like, like yourself, and you know I'm sure everybody knows your, you know your past, you know your past affiliation with the government and stuff and we appreciate all the work you did there and we love to have you as a vendor and I appreciate your time and inviting me onto your podcast.
Speaker 2:Well, thanks, mike, appreciate that and it's just something, another way to gain some more exposure and things to do and how to participate in what's out there under the canopy. Thanks a lot, and those again. If they want to come down, we'll be there with Jagger Health and Wellness. You can look us up. We've got the new line we're releasing, which is we're calling it Morning Glory because we're using it in my house as a coffee substitute and people are welcome to try it and we'll have it available and you can come down and see ang and pete and the whole gang from fishing canada celebrating their 40th anniversary, ministry of natural resources and all the other great things that go on the show. Thanks a lot, mike, for taking the time. Thanks for your time as well.
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