Despite the chilly temperatures people from all over the Pacific Northwest converged on the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center for the 25th annual Central Oregon Sportsmen’s Show. There was no shortage of food, entertainment, and loads of stuff geared toward outdoor sports and recreation.

The event draws about 15,000 people to Redmond where expo-goers have the opportunity to mill around an impressive exposition of everything from fishing gear and sausages, to luxury RVs and boats.

Trey Carskadon, marketing director for the event, said the Sportsmen’s Show is one of the largest events held at the fairgrounds, which for a long time has hosted the Deschutes County Fair and more recently has branched out into large-scale music festivals. The exhibition space for the event has been booked up since December.

Carskadon said the event draws enthusiasts and professionals from across the West, it also caters to any one looking for more information about the world of hunting and fishing. It’s excellent place for beginners to dip their toe in, said Carkasdon.

“The fastest growing category in both fishing and hunting both regionally and nationally are women,” Carskadon said. “We have women-owned businesses at this show. We have seminars that are really directed at folks that are new to the sport.”

Carskadon was on his way to the Redmond Airport on Thursday to pick up Randy Newberg, an avid hunter, fisherman and public lands advocate who will give seminars each day of the event.

Newberg, who lives in Bozeman, Mont., has shared his expertise at the show for the past five or six years, and said he always loves the chance to travel to Central Oregon.

On Friday, gave a seminar titled “Marriage 101 for Elk Hunters.”

The seminar is rather tongue in cheek, Newberg said, but he said he does hope to impart some wisdom. After all, he hunts 100 days a year and fishes another 40. Also, he just celebrated his 35th wedding anniversary.

Newberg said the key is to include the family on hunting and fishing expeditions as much as possible. He said both he and his wife hunt and fish together, but his wife really shines at fishing.

“She is the angler of the year at our house,” Newberg said. “Our family relationships are all about the outdoors.”

The family friendly event ran from Thursday, March 7 through Sunday, March 10.