Despite – or maybe because of – early morning protests and unprecedented media attention, the Wells Sportsman’s Trader Show attracted record numbers this weekend.

Tuesday, March 13, 2001

Despite – or maybe because of – early morning protests and unprecedented media attention, the Wells Sportsman’s Trader Show attracted record numbers this weekend.

Organizer John Vee said more than 5,000 people came through the gates, some from as far away as Duluth and Milwaukee. The show’s previous record was about 4,200.

&uot;We feel absolutely terrific about how smoothly the show went,&uot; said Vee. &uot;It was very crowded, obviously, but everyone worked together.&uot;

Vee said a handful of protesters stood in front of United South Central School, where the show was held, Saturday morning, but were gone by noon.

&uot;When the media left, they left, too,&uot; Vee said.

Planning for next year’s event will begin next month, Vee said, including a new contract with the USC school district.

&uot;We plan on going ahead with another show next year, and we hope to hold it in the school. I think its clear that the community of Wells supports it,&uot; Vee said.

The show received statewide attention when a few local residents protested the event because it brought firearms into a public school.