The NRA kicked off the 2022 Great American Outdoor Show with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday night at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Open to the public, the show will run from Saturday, February 5 to Sunday, February 13.
“After a brief hiatus due to pandemic restrictions, we are thrilled to once again gather in Dauphin County for the world’s largest outdoor show,” said NRA Executive Director of General Operations Joe DeBergalis.
During the opening festivities, the NRA Foundation generously awarded the Dauphin County Sheriff’s Department a $29,900 grant in support of its K-9 unit, along with grants for Hunters Sharing the Harvest, two high schools and a BSA council. Additionally, the NRA honored Maria Heil and Jeff Haste with the Great American Outdoor Show Patriot of the Year award.
Since 2014, the NRA has administered the Great American Outdoor Show to much success. This year’s show comes after the cancellation of the 2021 event due to state restrictions from the pandemic. At the previous GAOS in 2020, there were about 179,000 people from around the country that made the trip to Harrisburg, and local officials estimate that the show contributes approximately $75 million to the local economy.
This year’s GAOS boasts more than 1,100 exhibitors covering 650,000 square feet of exhibit hall space, with outdoor and shooting-related products on display, from firearms and accessories to hunting and archery equipment, plus fishing tackle, boats, ATVs and RVs. The jam-packed schedule also includes country-music concerts, fundraising dinners, speaking events, archery competitions, celebrity appearances, seminars, demonstrations and more.
Visitors can compete for bragging rights at the NRA Air Gun Range, learn about firearm safety at the expanded Eddie Eagle Kid’s Zone, observe dogs with amazing acrobatic abilities at the Dock Dogs pool and go to the Kid’s Trout Pond for some angling action.
Also, attendees won’t want to miss the famous NRA Wall of Guns, which is conveniently located at Booth #39 in the complex’s main hall. This year, visitors can enter for a chance to win several firearms, among them a Ruger Max-9, North American Arms 1860 Hogleg .22, Taurus GX4, Savage B22 Overwatch .22 LR and a Kahr Arms CW9. All of these firearms have been graciously donated to the NRA Foundation in support of preserving the Second Amendment. In addition, there will be a Friends of NRA Banquet with a live auction.
Regular GAOS adult admission is only $15, but there is also an optional two-day pass available for $25. In addition, special rates also apply for kids, seniors and groups. Children five and under and guests who purchase or renew their NRA Membership at the show receive free admission.
To learn more about the 2022 Great American Outdoor Show, check out the 2022 show directory or visit www.greatamericanoutdoorshow.org.
