Dixon's Gunmaker's Fair Is Over

[dave_person]

Hi,
The gun maker's fair is over. Dixon's announced the demise of the fair on their website. This is very sad news but not unexpected. Brenda Dixon, who ran the entire fair since Chuck Dixon retired has health issues and putting on the event was a real burden. She basically played it by year to see if she felt up to doing it each year. Anyway, Dixon's decided to end the event this year so an era in muzzleloading is over. Perhaps some of us can create some smaller local events to partially fill the gap.

dave

 

[2 shots]

very sad news indeed. i hope brenda is doing well. i was so hoping it would happen this year after missing it last year. it was a great time, lots to see and learn. very , very great loss to our kind.

 

[Onojutta]

I just heard the news today. Very unfortunate. The Judge's Choice Award I received for my first build hangs proudly over my work bench to this day and has been inspiration to someday return with another entry. As popular as the fair was, I can't imagine something else won't be started to continue carrying the torch.

 

[bpd303]

Have to wonder how much the Covid pandemic has to do with the decision. Just saw it on their Facebook page. Even though I never got to go it was interesting seeing it on their site.
https://www.facebook.com/dixonmlshop/

 

[Brokennock]

☹ I never got there. Always wanted to, could never make it happen...

 

[Sprglde]

A friend sent me this.
It's about 30 miles from Dixon's.

 

[rich pierce]

As someone who organized a large event for 14 years, I cannot imagine doing it for 35-40 years. If you see the Dixons please just thank them for the great years and leave it at that.

 

[William P Sepessy]

Truly sorry to hear this news. I always enjoyed going to the Fair and will continue to visit the store.

 

[opusnight]

HUZZAH!!! Granted, won't be exactly the same as the great fair the Dixons put on, but should be great nonetheless. Just have to wait one more year, darnit.

https://www.nmlra.org/news/gunmakersfairatkempton

 

[Sidney Smith]

I honestly was never thrilled with Dixons fair. It was ok, but IMO, it wasn't as great as a lot of people made it out to be. Most of the wares were way overpriced. A lot of the items were simply useless, to the point of them being unnecessary. I never came away from there with a feeling of " Wow, look what I got". The pay to park feature never thrilled me either for such a small show, but I guess they had to use that angle because they knew a lot of people would walk around and buy nothing. The pay to park was a way for them to get something from everybody I guess. In truth not going to miss it a bit.

 

[springfield art]

Hi,
The gun maker's fair is over. Dixon's announced the demise of the fair on their website. This is very sad news but not unexpected. Brenda Dixon, who ran the entire fair since Chuck Dixon retired has health issues and putting on the event was a real burden. She basically played it by year to see if she felt up to doing it each year. Anyway, Dixon's decided to end the event this year so an era in muzzleloading is over. Perhaps some of us can create some smaller local events to partially fill the gap.

dave

Fortunately, now, July 2022, it's on again at Kempton 3.5 miles N. or Dixon's. See you there!

 

[springfield art]

I believe the Gunmaker's Fair will be re-animated better than ever; after the panic shutdown for a couple years, and a new but nearby location, it will be like a jolt of lightning, so to speak! Maybe more interest than ever. Everyone owes a great debt of thanks to the wonderful Dixon folks, it's a great thing that this did not die out but will be better than ever in it's beautiful location at Kempton.

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

☹ I never got there. Always wanted to, could never make it happen...

I attended in 2018.
If curious.....here is a recap of some of the activities that went on, enjoy: