Trade show

Chamber of Commerce representatives greeted people,
and were on hand to answer questions
T. Lucas photos

Crowsnest Pass Lifestyle and Outdoor Adventure Show hosted by the Crowsnest Pass Chamber of Commerce took place Friday May 2 and Saturday May 3 at the Crowsnest Pass Sports Complex in Coleman. This is the 26th year that the Chamber has hosted the event.  People in the crowd that were there on Friday said that they enjoyed to show.

"There was a vehicle extrication demonstration today, and they pulled apart two vehicles, completely," said Chamber of Commerce Business member Pam Vamplew.  There was another demonstration planned to happen on Saturday.  "We have live entertainment, singing, we had a handyman challenge, where volunteers from the audience had three handyman tasks they had to accomplish, and we had a fashion show.  We have a whole list of things that are up for Saturday as well."  

The Crowsnest Pass Protective Services  did a demonstration of vehicular extrication on two vehicles of Friday, and were scheduled to do more on Saturday.

Gary Clark and Cookie Sarezky show off the Quad they are raffling

Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad  is raffling off a quad that will be draw for on November 9. Tickets available at Husky or through any Quad Squad member.

United Riders of Crowsnest

United Riders of Crowsnest Bike Club was signing people up for the Rumhead Enduro and Bootleg Bikefest that is happening on July 27, 2014.  "The bike club is building trail.  that is our mission in the Crowsnest Pass," said John Redekopp.

Timber and Tines had Trevor Garbier and Jamie Krish  man the booth that displayed hunting gear, and some fine carvings.  The carving done by Ginger Garbier.​  "That one I worked on for about three months,"  Ginger said of a moose antler that was under a lamp.  She was inspired to take up carving by local carver Lorne Plante.

"We are the voice of conservation and the responsible use of our resources, especially for hunting, fishing and trapping." said Hilllcrest Fish and Game Protective Association Vice President  Colton Newton who was at the Alberta Bear Smart booth with Mandee Brown.

"We are showing the most beautiful truck in Alberta, the King Ranch 150," said Sales Representative Scott Korbett.  "The number one selling truck 40 years in a row," added George Wolstenholme.

Layout of the CNP Recreational Vehicle park.

Young Parkyn McNab LLP Pincher Creek accounting firm was there represented by Kyla Bruns and Kevin Burke.

Skyline Rentals owned by Merlin Lewis rents side by side quads for outdoor adventure.

"We have Dustin Fuller here today," said Vamplew who addressed the strong political representation the show has drawn. "The and the Conservative Candidate, John Barlow is coming tomorrow, and we have our local municipality politicians here. All the Councillors and the mayor have been taking shifts at their booth, as well."  I as a Voice reporter missed the opportunity to talk to John Barlow, but did catch up to Fuller.

Dustin Fuller with sister Daryla Fuller

"When it comes to P3 (Public, Private, Partnership) infrastructure funding, there was 1.7 or 1.9 billion dollars in infrastructure set aside.  This year, and going until 2018 or 2019 the funding is going to stay at about 210 million dollars a year.  That's for all of Canada's municipalities, all of Canada's infrastructure projects.  That's a big hit, its about 87% decrease in infrastructure funding.  You just need to talk to town, village and municipal councils; They will tell you how that would affect them.  Infrastructure is not a sexy subject but it is an area where you have to invest."  Fuller said that water distribution lanes, and sewage were 'deteriorating in a massive state" in several areas of Macleod.

"If we want to maintain our standard of living, we need to insure that we are investing in those things that are not sexy, called infrastructure."

Overlooking the Outdoor Adventure area.

Susan Fyter, Kristy Ball and LaChelle Still  were representing Indoor Playground.  They run a drop in informal play session Monday through Friday 9:30 am to 11:30 am  at the MDM Community Centre at 2802-222 Street Bellevue for free.

Domestic Bliss owner Lynette Jassop with table neighbor tattoo artist Charlotte Catchpole.

Kimberly Hurst with Epicure.

Main Business area

We call it 'Outdoor Adventure, that's on the one side, and here is what we call main business," indicated Chamber of Commerce Business member Pam Vamplew who was showing the layout of the show. Upstairs was home based businesses. "I am just here helping organize the trade show. It incorporates all kinds of businesses. We added the home based businesses last year, and it was a huge success. We are definitely going to keep on doing it. You can see it's not just the trades, which is why we got away from the name 'Trade Show'. Last year we changed the name to 'Lifestyle Show'. I think that Sparwood is our furthest one west, Taber, Claresholm, Pincher Creek, Calgary, Fort Macleod, are a few places businesses have come from.  We have 112 businesses registered, right now."

Busy aisles

Home Check Sarah Thomsen offers peace of mind by checking on your property while you are away, and additional services.

Crumbs Cakery owner Amy Cardoza felt it was appropriate that she was i the home business area.  "I work out of my home, I have a fully licensed kitchen."

"I love going to the the trade show, it's always a great time," said radio host Courtney Cox.

Air Cadets Squadron #859 parents  Launa Desroiers and Tina Wilhelm showed that the kids were not the only ones that had fun with Cadets.

Alan Brice demonstrating casting techniques.

We are here educating the public on who we are, and our activities in the Crowsnest Pass" said Crowsnest Conservation Society Board Member Robert Anderson.

Mountain Radio Celeb Courtney Cox tells Locklan not to let go of his balloon moments before it was at the ceiling.