NorCal RV & Boat Show entertains

There's something for everyone at the Nor-Cal Productions Sports and RV Show that is happening this weekend at the Shasta District Fairgrounds in Anderson.

I usually take my grandsons to this annual North State event that showcases all types of recreational and outdoor products and activities.

This show started more than 20 years ago with a simple format that mainly showcased RV and boat products found right here at local dealers.

The connections that show promoter Ron Gilliss has always maintained in the sporting industry have allowed him to bring in lots of factory representatives for seminars and before long the show was expanded into showcasing hunting dogs, the latest in sporting goods and, my personal favorite, a huge bass bin where professional fishermen show exactly how it's done.

Watching that monster "lunker" take the lure is an amazing thing to clearly see through the huge glass tank.

There's also a fishing pond for young fishing enthusiasts. Area high school agriculture students often assist children in this special part of the show.

With an avid interest in the back country as seen on horseback, Ron Gilliss also directed the show to include outdoor cooking demos and competitions have turned into an everyday activity at the show. But, you'll have to check the schedule if you don't want to miss watching those tasty concoctions go together. Many of the food items are more tantalizing than a lot of commercial cuisine menu offerings.

The hunting dog demonstrations Ron Gilliss brought to the show a few years back triggered an even stronger interest in man's best at the show. This year Shasta Splash will be on hand with those amazing dock dogs that jump a distance of 30 feet to 40 feet after a ball, then splash down in a swimming pool for an exciting competition.

You don't always get to see these amazing pups complete around this part of the country unless they plan a major competition at a north state event. This year the splash dogs make their debut at the sports show, a perfect venue for this kind action. I'll be there with camera in hand recording some of those jumps.

My grandsons like the mechanical toys including ATVs, motorcycles and personal watercraft. Then there's always a car dealer showcasing some of the newest models to tow all those boy toys.

My friend Chris Zwaga usually brings her large Clydesdale to meet and greet visitors at the show. Many of them have told her it was worth coming to the show just to see the big horse. There's nothing more impressive than rounding a corner at the fairgrounds to be met by a 2,000-pound, umpteen-hand tall giant of a horse to make your day complete.

I fish and there is always something new in fishing gear at Phil Mitsueda's booth, also known by his business name Phil's Propellers, one of my favorite attractions. That booth seems to go on and on with everything imaginable to lure the elusive aquatic life netting that thrill of the moment, landing the big one. Every year he has some new tricky things that come in real handy.

We like to pick up a snack and start walking the fairgrounds, taking in the canine and equine demonstrations. For several years, the Shasta Trinity Unit of Back-Country Horsemen of California have had an outdoor campsite inside one of the barns.

At different intervals during the weekend, they will demonstrate how to pack a mule or horse and describe what the group does, including packing fish supplies and equipment to mountain lakes and major trail projects. Severe storms often damage trails that hikers and equestrians use during the spring to fall seasons.

From the tiniest pack of fish hooks, to the largest and most impressive RVs, trucks and boats to demonstrations galore, much, much more is found at the sports show.

That's why we go, and go, and go again and again.

See you there.