With more than 300 tables of merchandise and attendance of about 3,000, the annual Gun Show and Coin is a big fundraiser for the local BPO Elks Lodge.

Since the beginning — 27 years ago — Dale Harbarth has been the dynamo who keeps the show an in-demand draw among sporting enthusiasts.

This year, Harbarth said there will be 320 tables of merchandise by vendors from seven states. Attendees can buy, barter or trade with vendors exhibiting everything from guns, knives and coins to fishing and trapping items.

Although record high gas prices slowed the summer travel season, Harbarth said nobody used it as an excuse to cancel exhibiting at the gun show.

If you go...

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21
Where: McLeod County Fairgrounds, 840 Century Ave. S.W., Hutchinson
Admission: Free parking and $3 per person, 12 or younger free with a paid adult admission.
Call: Dale Harbarth at (320) 587-8989

To read the entire story, see the print edition of the Hutchinson Leader for Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008.

(Kay Johnson is a staff writer at the Hutchinson Leader. She can be reached at johnson@hutchinsonleader.com [2]).