Brookings to host NRA Youth Sportsfest

BROOKINGS - The 13th annual NRA Youth Sportsfest will be held on Saturday, August 8, from 1-5 p.m. at the Brookings Gun Club, located two miles east of Brookings on U.S. Highway 14.

Various activities for youth to participate in include trap shooting, skeet shooting, air rifle/air pistol shooting and 3-D archery, black powder shotgun and tomahawk throwing.

Animal and bird identification will be presented by the Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Club, reloading demonstrations and range (distance) demonstrations by the National Wild Turkey Federation. The Fire Department and Brookings County Sheriff’s Department will be on hand to allow youth to explore a fire truck and police vehicle.  

All youth ages 18 years and under are invited to attend. The Sportsfest is free of charge to all youth attending and will use monies from a grant received from the NRA Foundation’s South Dakota State Fund Committee to help fund this event.  

Various stations for youth will be set up including a 4-H station where air pistol, air rifle and archery are offered. No experience is necessary, and all firearms, ammunition and targets are provided. This is an event where skilled and experienced volunteer instructors share what they enjoy with youth.

One of the goals is to increase the interest in shooting sports and love of the outdoors starts at a young age.

“Last year we had duck blinds set up where youth truly experienced shooting in a hunting atmosphere. This brought a lot of excited smiles to youth participating and the adults watching,” said Jon Greseth, Chairman of the Sportsfest.

A highlight of this event is Ed Krueger’s hunting dog demonstration. The excitement of the hunt, using well trained dogs, offers knowledgeable advice to those interested in this sport.