The tenth anniversary of the Perham National Sporting and Collectible Show April 21-22 will be observed with much fanfare this year.
Some of the best wildlife art, with some of the finest artists themselves, will be in Perham for the event. Over its decade history, the Jensen show has evolved into one of the largest shows of its kind in the nation, according to show founder and promoter Rod Osvold, Perham.
At least two film crews are expected, including a team from Ron Schara's "Minnesota Bound" program. Independent filmmaker Josh Murphy will also be shooting the event, at the Perham Area Community Center.
Named after famed local decoy carver, the late John Jensen of Frazee, "The Gathering 2007" will feature many of the best carvers in the nation, hunting and fishing displays, outdoor art and many other vendors.
Work of more than 50 of the finest carvers in the region--and nation--will be on display, said Osvold, Perham.
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The event, held at the Perham Area Community Center, is part of a circuit of shows, with carvers competing on a point system. Two national and two world carving competitions in fish and bird decoys will be featured at the Perham show.
Names of some of the local artists will be familiar: Jay McEvers, Vergas; Sharon Thomas, Frazee; Ron Hamm, Frazee; and Don Bethel, Menahga area. Young Jacob Sazama, a teenager from the Dent area who is known as a world class carver, will be demonstrating, displaying and competing.
"We'll be crowning the top national ten carvers," said Osvold. "There's a real rivalry between Sazama and veteran caver Gary Hull from Baudette."
The two are competing for the National Fish Decoy Association title, and only a few points seperate one another in the 2006-2007 point series.
Awards will be presented at the annual National Fish Decoy Association banquet, 5:30 p.m. at the Playtime Bar and Grill. The banquet is open to the public.
With the heightened interest in carving and wildlife art nationwide, combined with the ten year anniversary, Osvold believes attendance may come close to the show's record year of 2,800. The show has averaged 1,800 attendance over the decade.
More than 100 dealers and carvers will be displaying; with a total of more than 200 tables of various vendors.
Hours of the show will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
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Major local sponsors of the show include Barrel O' Fun, Tuffy's, Kenny's Candies, Super 8 Motel and Greenspire Graphics.
