ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - Crowds at the 31st annual Jaffa Shrine Sports show have a few more options this year with a record 140 vendors taking part in the three day show.
"There's a lot of people that can't make it down to some of the other shows so this is something nice and local they can come here," Craig Todoro of Mt. Union says.
While the crowds appreciate more booths, some vendors are also thankful to have a show.
After one of the nations biggest shows cancelled, some vendors were left with nowhere to go.
"Once it got cancelled we were kind of scurrying around to find some advertisement in smaller venues such as the Jaffa Show," Mark Keller of Rack and Wing Tours says.
Organizers added an extra 20 vendors this year which were left with nowhere to go after the Eastern Outdoor and Sports in Harrisburg was cancelled.
"As a new ranch (it was) absolute disaster. You're looking at 100,000 people a day for 10 days. You just can't replace that no matter how many shows you do," John Straitiff of Fork Ridge Ranch says.
The Altoona show still had to turn away vendors, but as new businesses take in their first Jaffa Show, they have been impressed with the small town hospitality.
"Nothing but nice people. You sure don't find anybody in Harrisburg to help you unload and set up your booth or anything like that," Keller says.
Along with more vendors, there are also more speakers. 38 seminars will take place throughout the weekend.
More Information on the Jaffa Shrine Sports Show.
"There's a lot of people that can't make it down to some of the other shows so this is something nice and local they can come here," Craig Todoro of Mt. Union says.
While the crowds appreciate more booths, some vendors are also thankful to have a show.
After one of the nations biggest shows cancelled, some vendors were left with nowhere to go.
"Once it got cancelled we were kind of scurrying around to find some advertisement in smaller venues such as the Jaffa Show," Mark Keller of Rack and Wing Tours says.
Organizers added an extra 20 vendors this year which were left with nowhere to go after the Eastern Outdoor and Sports in Harrisburg was cancelled.
"As a new ranch (it was) absolute disaster. You're looking at 100,000 people a day for 10 days. You just can't replace that no matter how many shows you do," John Straitiff of Fork Ridge Ranch says.
The Altoona show still had to turn away vendors, but as new businesses take in their first Jaffa Show, they have been impressed with the small town hospitality.
"Nothing but nice people. You sure don't find anybody in Harrisburg to help you unload and set up your booth or anything like that," Keller says.
Along with more vendors, there are also more speakers. 38 seminars will take place throughout the weekend.
More Information on the Jaffa Shrine Sports Show.
