Sandanona Game Fair

[Andrew Sacco]

Anyone go last year? I talked to Bill Hadfield and he said it was amazing they will only be going to that and Sanford this year. I will take the time off if it's a good event.

[Bill Murphy]

Lots of discussion about this, all over this site and probably others.

[Kevin McCormack]

After going to the VC there for years, when it left Sandanona, a hunting buddy and I made the trek a couple of years later. We came over from Binghamton and spent late morning and the rest of that day at the Orvis grounds, then stayed in a nice hotel in Fishkill (forget the name) for a decent price, had a nice steak dinner, then went back over for the next morning and left at noon for home. Perfect way to see it all, return for items of interest the next day, drive home while its still daylight, etc. Weather was great and saw some nice stuff; neat way to spend a couple of days.

[Bill Murphy]

Some of us are hoping that next year will be a Sandanona event for PGCA.

[edgarspencer]

Some of us are hoping that next year will be a Sandanona event for PGCA.

That is in the works. Steve Cambria suggested a joint AHF and PGCA tent. The two Brians have had discussions.

Yes, I was there this past year, as well as most years. It was excellent. RHO was in the tent next to Steve Barnett Fine Guns. Lots of other activities to entertain the rest of the family.

Several of the clickity clack gun people displayed. Orvis had a tent of guns and related. Ammo people. Geoffrey Gournet was there as well. Loads of Sloan Ranger clothing people. Generally a fun outing.

[Andrew Sacco]

Andy, you should go, you will fit ''Right In'', :rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf:

Harry

You won't Harry so don't bother : )

[edgarspencer]

I haven't shot the Sandanona course in a couple years, but as I recall, it's a fairly challenging course. They require you to shoot with a trapper, and cart, so it is on the higher expense end, especially compared to Addieville and Peacedale, my regular venues.
I could hear lots of activity on the course from the game fair, and would guess it was fairly crowded.

[Mike Koneski]

I can see that venue would do well for vendors and “shoppers”. Plenty of $$ in the Hudson Valley. My take is they would trend more towards Eurotrash guns than American Classics for the SxS style. It’s not a shooting event per se so it has no appeal for guys like me. I don’t attend events to shop, I’m there to shoot and shoot a lot. It takes all kinds of critters to make Farmer Vincent’s fritters.

[Andrew Sacco]

That’s why I asked Mike. Thanks.

[Mike Koneski]

Well, I gave Andy an honest reply. It is a good venue to sell wares and see a lot of other items that may or may not be shooting related.

[edgarspencer]

It isn't intended to model itself after the Southern, and the Vintagers isn't as much like it either. It's modeled more like the fall Game Fairs in England, more like the Chatsworth Game fair. Being held in the fall, it has more of a hunting theme, as opposed to fishing, as are the spring fairs in England. There may be more English and continental guns on display, but there are ample American specimens also. I did see a near mint .410 GHE change hands.
From the nearly non-stop shooting heard from the tent area, and reports of lengthy wait times to shoot, I think it's fair to say it is more of shooting venue than you suggest, but don't get your feathers ruffled, it isn't intended to copy Hausmann's Hidden Holler, or Kona Koneski's Ka-Boom Kingdom.
One thing I think that sets it apart, is there are instructors aplenty, and a simple course for people who have never shot before to get to shoot, and that is hugely popular. Seeing faces light up breaking possibly their first clay is a good thing on many levels, and yes, they were shooting two barrels of both orientation.

[Andrew Sacco]

Thank you Edgar. I'm going to give it a shot this year and bring the missus if there are things nearby to see and do too. She ain't a shooter which is probably ok too.

[edgarspencer]

Thank you Edgar. I'm going to give it a shot this year and bring the missus if there are things nearby to see and do too. She ain't a shooter which is probably ok too.

She might enjoy the Innisfree Gardens, or the Mary Flagler Cary Arboretum. It's practically next door to Sandanona.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Flagler_Cary_Arboretum

[Dave Tatman]

What is the date for the Sandanona Game Fair? And what is the nearest town? Just trying to see if a trip from NE OH makes sense……

Thanks,
Dave

[Kevin McCormack]

Usually held in late September. Nearest "real" town/city is Fishkill/Poughkeepsie area of NY - lots of good hotels & restaurants - further into the hinterlands you get you run into the smaller, spookier joints - think sets for a Toby Hooper movie.

[Andrew Sacco]

Usually held in early October. Nearest "real" town/city is Fishkill/Poughkeepsie area of NY - lots of good hotels & restaurants - further into the hinterlands you get you run into the smaller, spookier joints - think sets for a Toby Hooper movie.

Nothing to be afraid of Kevin, you've been to M E S H O P P E N

:shock:

[edgarspencer]

https://www.orvis.com/orvis-game-fair-and-sporting-weekend.html?srsltid=AfmBOorOdOE4n2O0GukrOXzTtO2q7 GdflTDVfD7WFtIdOBBzgR0MmcBV

[Bill Murphy]

The Game Fair link says nothing about gun vendors. Oh, well. That does it for me.

[Andrew Sacco]

There will be gun vendors. I know Robin Hollow is only doing sandanona and Sanford this year he said game fair last year was fantastic

[Kevin McCormack]

The Game Fair link says nothing about gun vendors. Oh, well. That does it for me.

Who cares about what vendors will be there? We can go anyway and kick back beforehand with Niles and Kim at Sand Point and wash down our free hors d'euvres with Ponsard Orange Label Veuvre Cliquot, to which you are so accustomed!!

[Kevin McCormack]

[QUOTE=Andrew Sacco;423344]Nothing to be afraid of Kevin, you've been to M E S H O P P E N

Didn't they film a couple of settlement scenes there for "Dune" there??

[Daryl Corona]

Ponsard Orange Label Veuvre Cliquot

Kevin, is that a pilsner urquell or a belgian wheat? Sounds like it would be good with some slim jims and wheat thins.:)

[Bill Murphy]

An overpriced real Champagne. Good with salted peanuts in the shell, or Five Guys french fries. I remember early Vintage Cup at Sandanona. Our group furnished a full smorgasbord of food and unlimited mediocre wines in proper glassware for the full four days for anyone who would care to participate. Our prices, "free", competed well with the seven dollar beer at the vendors' tents.

[edgarspencer]

Who cares about what vendors will be there? We can go anyway and kick back beforehand with Niles and Kim at Sand Point and wash down our free hors d'euvres with Ponsard Orange Label Veuvre Cliquot, to which you are so accustomed!!

Salt point?

[Andrew Sacco]

[QUOTE=Andrew Sacco;423344]Nothing to be afraid of Kevin, you've been to M E S H O P P E N

Didn't they film a couple of settlement scenes there for "Dune" there??

DELIVERENCE

[Frank Srebro]

August at Steve Barnett's told me he had a great show at the '24 Game Fair and was planning to do the 2025 event.

[Andrew Sacco]

I heard the same from August, he told me to just be there it's going to become bigger and better each year. And HARRY you're going to keep seeing it go this way. Two big shoots with big vendors who spend MONEY on a table because the price they pay is recovered very quickly with good sales. If you want a garage sale go find one I guess. Mike's shoot is different, it's all about the SHOOTING and really bad shirts. Either way you're gonna have to get off your wallet at some point Harry : )

[Kevin McCormack]

Kevin, is that a pilsner urquell or a belgian wheat? Sounds like it would be good with some slim jims and wheat thins.:)

No, no - you have to get out of the routine "coal tipple" lunchroom menu these back country outfits subject you to. Beers and ales are fine with these scrapple-like snacks and cholesterol-laden high-sodium killers. I'm talking about the sublime pure combination of essential bounties of land and sea; sparkling wine and oysters on the half shell. And don't forget a fine imported cigar afterwards!

[Kevin McCormack]

Edgar, did they change the name? I'm old now and can't remember!

[Andrew Sacco]

Andy, are you saying ''Mike's Shoot'' is a ''Garage Sale'' ?

Harry

P.S. Andy, you mentioned my wallet. I remember watching you open your wallet at Hausmann'n,
The only thing I saw come out of it was a ''Flock of Moth's''

Harry

No Harry I actually bought a gorgeous Turnbull restored Parker from Robin Hollow, and have bought more than a few guns at Mikes, and many in private sale. You just have your diaper in a knot because I won't buy from you. I have cash, but you ain't getting it.

[edgarspencer]

I know Robin Hollow is only doing sandanona and Sanford this year he said game fair last year was fantastic

August at Steve Barnett's told me he had a great show at the '24 Game Fair and was planning to do the 2025 event.

Bill Hadfield and August Morris both had grins on their faces because one just sold the other a really (really really) nice gun.

Edgar, did they change the name?

No, they didn't, but you did. I like Sand Point better.

[CraigThompson]

WOW, You bought a gun from Robin Hollow, He may be the highest price guy out their. Well You know the old saying, ''A Fool and His Money Are soon Parted.''

Harry

You know I’ve always believed a person oughtta sell their stuff on its merits and not by knocking their competition . I’ve never heard Josh say anything negative about the competition or Allgood or August or Fuetrel or any of them for that matter except YOU !

[Andrew Sacco]

You know I’ve always believed a person oughtta sell their stuff on its merits and not by knocking their competition . I’ve never heard Josh say anything negative about the competition or Allgood or August or Fuetrel or any of them for that matter except YOU !

There's an idiom about mud wrestling with a pig Craig so I choose not to mud wrestle with him here. I'll just say that the price becomes reasonable when a person likes you and you treat them well and have repeat business. And the fact of the matter is that sometimes they just have what you WANT. 28" IC/M VHE Turnbull restored with a factory mid bead for a price south of any of Harry's pedestrian guns he tried to unload on me. Oh, and $200/flat Gun Clubs. :rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf:

[Bill Murphy]

I am not much for buying from dealers, but I have bought from Bill, Phil, Josh, and Honest John.

[Andrew Sacco]

Andy, old buddy, I agreed with you. How about We call it a ''Cease Fire''
and I will buy You a beer the next time I see you at Hausemann's. :)

Harry

Deal Harry, just don't call me a fool, and that will be two beers : )

[edgarspencer]

Andy, old buddy, I agreed with you. How about We call it a ''Cease Fire''
and I will buy You a beer the next time I see you at Hausemann's. :)

Harry

Deal Harry, just don't call me a fool, and that will be two beers : )

You got it Andy, 2 beers and maybe some of Sara's cookies !

Harry

Phew

[Daryl Corona]

Phew

Brings a tear to your eyes doesn't it?:crying:

[Mike Koneski]

Mike's shoot is different, it's all about the SHOOTING and really bad shirts.

HEY!!! They are stylish and classic. So much more than tweed and wool!! :whistle::rotf:

[CraigThompson]

HEY!!! They are stylish and classic. So much more than tweed and wool!! :whistle::rotf:

Easy now I’ve always had atleast one tweed sports coat in my closest for the last fifty years . Usually had two most times a dark grey one and greenish or brownish one . But I used to wear a tie and sports coat to UVA football games and to steeplechase horse races . Now I don’t attend either :whistle:

[Clark McCombe]

Any plans made yet for a Parker table or get together ?

[Mike Koneski]

The vendors who sell higher end guns do well at Sandanona. There's a lot of $$ in the Hudson Valley looking for a new home and even first time buyers will spend to buy a high end gun. Plus, the buyers don't have to travel far from home. It is what it is.

[Frank Srebro]

Any reports on the Orvis Game Fair that took place over the past weekend?

[Clark McCombe]

I was there with Beverly and son Bennett. Absolutely perfect weather. We walked the open course in the morning and again in late afternoon. By 4 we pretty much had the course to ourselves. And shot better too!
Not many sxs around. Having the Parker was a nice way to start a conversation.
Visited the vendors and did some shopping.
I shouldn’t say what we came home with:)

[James L. Martin]

I was there , had a great time. Josh had some real nice guns. Wife and I had lobster rolls that were really good. If you live anywhere near Sandanona you should go. They had the Vintagers there for years.

[Daryl Corona]

I was there , had a great time. Josh had some real nice guns. Wife and I had lobster rolls that were really good. If you live anywhere near Sandanona you should go. They had the Vintagers there for years.

Unfortunately it was the same weekend as the machine gun shoot in PA. I attended the VGC at Sandanona while it was there and it was nice but machine guns trump game fairs. An added bonus was the club shoot at Rock Mountain the next day. We had some serious trigger pulling fun this past weekend.