Home, Sport and Travel Show returns to Bemidji for 44th event – Bemidji Pioneer

BEMIDJI – Bemidji Jaycees’ 44th Annual Home Sport and Travel Show is coming to town next week, bringing together businesses and vendors for two days of family-friendly fun.

The event begins Friday, March 31st and runs through Saturday, April 1st and local businesses and community organizations are taking over the Sanford Center for the annual event.

“I’m really excited,” said Eva Fisher, a Bemidji Jaycee and organizer of the event. “We had a great response from companies and organizations. The diversity we have this year is incredible.”

The annual show provides an opportunity for local businesses of all sizes to interact with community members and build relationships with the public. Because of the diversity of companies at this year’s show, Fisher is confident there will be something for everyone.

“If you want to buy a locally made item or you want to buy a boat, you can do that,” Fisher said. “If you want to speak to someone about financing a home, we have both banks and agents. There will be something that will apply to almost every person who walks through that door.”

In addition to the increased diversity, this year’s fair will be different for another reason. In contrast to previous years, when the event lasted three days, this year it will only take place over two days.

The reason for this decision was not the lack of success of the event, but the effort to make it easier for local and smaller companies to participate.

“The pandemic has highlighted some areas where we could improve our show and support our businesses,” Fisher said. “It’s getting harder and harder to find staff. It was just a kind of decision and an attempt to help our suppliers.”

This isn’t the first time the Home, Sport and Travel Show has seen changes, and Fisher explained that the organizing team is always looking for ways to improve.

“We’re always thinking about what we can do to make the show better,” Fisher said. “What can we do to improve this for the participating companies and the community members who come to the event?”

Funds raised by the Jaycees through the event will be used to support the organization and fund their other activities throughout the year, such as the Water Carnival and the Brrrmidji Plunge.

“It helps support us year-round so we can continue to serve our mission and purpose,” Fisher explained. “We use the funds to run our organization and they go to other projects that we do throughout the community.”

As always, the event features door prizes and other activities, including a children’s planting drive that takes place on Saturday.

Hours of operation for the event at the Sanford Center in Bemidji are Friday 31 March from 4pm to 8pm and Saturday 1 April from 9am to 4pm.

Adult admission is $5 and children under 12 are free.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Fisher said. “I really encourage people to come and see what it’s all about.”

Nicole Ronchetti is a reporter at Bemidji Pioneer and focuses on local government and community health.