Game Fair in Minnesota returns for 45th year with its focus on family and conservation

Ramsey, Minn. — Thousands will make their way to the Ramsey area this weekend to participate in Minnesota’s 45th annual Game Fair.

The outdoor event will be held the weekends of Aug. 7-9 and Aug. 14-16 again at the 80-acre Armstrong Ranch. Launched by Chuck and Loral I Delaney back in 1982, the event draws tens of thousands of visitors across both weekends.

Ron Hustvedt, Jr., Game Fair event coordinator, said two weekends gives families flexibility to enjoy the event whatever weather Mother Nature unfurls.

About 300 exhibitors will have booths set up, with two-thirds having participated in the event in the past. The other third will be first-time participants.

Hustvedt said the new vendors have something that has been created, invented or innovated for visitors to see how it connects with the outdoor world.

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Throughout both weekends, planned events will take place throughout the day.

At 11:30 a.m. every day, a shooting seminar will be held at the Federal shotgun shooting area. Participants can bring their shotgun or use one there to participate in busting some sporting clays.

“It’s kind of a mix of sporting clay, a mix of trap, and some fun shotgun games,” Hustvedt Jr. said. “Then we have the trick shooter, Travis Mears, who does his shotgun trick shooting show.”

Besides the thousands of people who make their way to the Game Fair, Hustvedt said the event also hosts up to 4,000 dogs. An agility course in the middle of the grounds allows dogs to compete, and of course dock jumping goes on throughout Game Fair.

When not exploring the grounds, shooting some guns or enjoying competitive dogs, people can learn at daily seminars from industry professionals. Topics include bird and gun introduction, breeding and training dogs, river tactics for angling and shooting demonstrations.

Hustvedt said there will be many recognizable faces among the special guests, including outdoor TV hosts Ron and Laura Schara, trapshooting all-American Nora Ross, and master falconer Frank Taylor.

Other notable guests this year will be candidates in this year’s governor race. Schara and Hustvedt will interview Amy Klobuchar on August 8 at 11 a.m., and organizers hope to have the Republican candidate the second weekend following the Aug. 11 primary. The discussion will offer visitors a chance to hear from candidates on where they stand on hunting, fishing, and conservation issues.

“It’s good to get those folks answering questions about conservation issues because it has been used in the past for holding elected officials to their word,” Hustvedt said. “Almost every governor of Minnesota has been out there going back to the beginnings of Game Fair.”

Hustvedt said Game Fair has been going strong for more than 40 years, because of its focus on families. He also cited the dedicated workers and volunteers who give their time to help set up and make the event possible year after year.

Whether people come for a day or the entire weekend, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

“It’s a good place for people to find their people, whether it’s dog clubs or conservation organizations or the companies that sell the gear that you use,” Hustvedt said.

On Friday, Aug. 9 and Aug. 16, children get in free with a paid adult admission.

For more information on events, exhibitors, or special guests, head to https://gamefair.com/.