ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – The 3rd annual RRN Sport and Rec Show is underway at the U.P. State Fairgrounds. Vendors say after a rough winter, the spring is looking up for outdoor sport retailers.
Through Sunday, nineteen vendors are filling the Ruth Butler Building with this season’s ATVs, dirtbikes, motorcycles, kayaks, pontoons, and more.
“We have a lot of boats, a lot of side by sides, things to do for the kids,” said event coordinator Mindy Wills. “We want people to enjoy their fun toys and get outside and shake off those winter blues—although winter hasn’t been too bad this year!”
The mild winter caused many vendors, like Fish & Hunt Shop from Curtis, to take a hit.
“It definitely hurt any snow-related business, and that trickled down to everybody,” said co-owner Mike Soder. “It in general hurt the U.P. or any northern area.”
However, an early spring means customers are getting a head start on warm weather sports.”We’ve had people looking to rent the ATV side by sides earlier,” Soder said. “We tell most people by April, it should be pretty good riding the way it’s looking. Unfortunately, we’re in a drought year, so everybody’s got to be careful.”
For Escanaba’s Race-Driven Powersports, spring is already off to a strong start.
“We’re seeing April business now,” manager Keith Cegelski said. “People are able to get the four-wheelers, ATVS, and dirtbikes out because there is no snow and the ground isn’t frozen, so that’s a benefit to us. We’ve got the brand new Polaris XD 1500 side by side. They’re flying off the shelves. We’re busy—busy busy.”
Cegelski says that boost has continued through the first two days of the RRN Sport & Rec Show.
“This is our first time here and we started out with a bang,” he said. “We sold three units last night and got a lot of stuff working today.”
Wills says connecting U.P. businesses with new and potential customers is one of the best parts of the event.
“I really hope that it helps them get the word out if nothing else,” she said. “Obviously we want them to make the sales, but if somebody maybe isn’t looking to buy today, they’re going to keep them in mind when they are ready to buy.”
The RRN Sport & Rec Show continues on Sunday, March 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for kids 12 and under, and $10 for a family pass. Click here for more information.
