Saturday, January 17, was the first Hunting Expo geared toward youth to be held at Creekside Community Center.
The Hunting Legacy is a group of faith-based men who have been planning this event for more than seven months. A partnership with the Valley Springs School District to host a state qualifier Archery event was a perfect opportunity to share their love of hunting with children and families.
Harrison Mayor Jerry Jackson attended and was blown away by the people and activities available. “I want to thank Chuck Eddington, The Hunting Legacy Group, and the Valley Springs School District for partnering with us to provide this unique opportunity for our community. What an amazing event. I was very proud we could host it at Creekside.”
There were 750 students signed up to participate in the archery bullseye contest. Twenty-two schools were represented, from elementary to high school.
Eddington said, “This was absolutely the best event we’ve had at Creekside – and it was ‘all for the kids’ focused, which made it even more fun.”
Students competed in the bullseye archery competition in the Signature Bank Gym, which is the vintage gym, and the new Wabash bleachers were packed during the day with family and friends watching. All school-age children were allowed in for free, and adults were only $5 per person.
The Farm Bureau Insurance Boone County Court was full of vendors from Arkansas Game and Fish to businesses selling hunting products. Eddington said they all asked to be included and plan to return for next year. The First Community Bank Court was sectioned off for 300 adults and students to participate in the 3-D Target Contest.
Young hunters were also encouraged to bring photos of their hunting conquests for judging as the most significant animal recently acquired.
Many donations were made to the silent auction, which was a big success.
The organizers had asked church youth groups to participate, as well as the Gideons organizations to provide New Testaments for students. More than 1,400 were distributed.
The Hunting Legacy staff is made up of Dakota Akers, Jamie Akers, Chuck Eddington, Sammy Kenniston, Lane King, Jerod Morris, Dalton Ramsey, and Eric Williamson.
Proceeds from the event will be used to provide new equipment and bows for the Valley Springs School’s Archery Club and to take students on sponsored hunting trips. “We were delighted to be able to give back to the community and the volunteer organizations who made this event possible,” Eddington said.