The inaugural Barrie Boat, Fishing and Outdoor Show wraps up its weekend Sunday at the East Bayfield Community Centre.
The new event began on Friday and allowed anyone searching for the right boat or fishing and hunting equipment, to one-stop-shop and be ready for the upcoming cottage season.
Special deals and demonstrations were popular with the hundreds who came through the doors all weekend.
Thomas Sunderton, who came all the way from North Bay, said it was great way to compare prices.
“It beats driving from city to city or even spending all day online looking for the right rod,” he said. “I needed a few items, but not all the same manufacturer, so this was awesome.
"We go to the others like this, but this is the closest one and I hope it continues every year," Sunderton added.
London and Hamilton also have events that have been running for 37 and 11 years, respectively.
The Barrie show took up the entire East Bayfield Community Centre with the ice pads and gymnasium being used.
Barrie is often referred to the gateway to cottage country, with thousands making their way to Muskoka every weekend in the summer and driving through Barrie to get there.
Carol Necass is one of the people who makes the trek every weekend to a Gravenhurst-area cottage. The mother of two says she and her family have wanted a boat for a long time and enjoy these types of events to keep focused on the goal.
“I've never had a boat before,” said Necass. “My husband and I keep telling the kids we’ll get one and hitting these shows when we can is a great way to get motivated. Nothing too big, just something on the smaller scale to start.”
The event continues today until 5 p.m. Tickets are available on the website.
