Blackpowder Shoot gearing up for weekend
The Nicola Valley Fish and Game club is gearing up to host the 18th annual April Fools Easter Weekend Blackpowder Shoot, along with the Adrian Empire Medieval Group.
This weekend’s competitions include musket, cannon and pistol shooting, while knife and hatchet throwing are also scheduled.
“We’re going to have a secret squirrel shoot this year,” said organizer, Fran Depper-George. “We’re not hunting live squirrels, we’re shooting at targets.”
Depper-George said the Adrian Empire Medieval Group joined up with the Blackpowder Shoot contestants when “We had these strange people wandering around with sticks that shoot, and we decided to make friends with them.”
The event brings out gun-wielders from throughout B.C., some of whom are former European and world Blackpowder champions.
Approximately 60 shooters and 100 people in total are expected to come out to the Range on Aberdeen Road over the three-day long-weekend event.
The Archduchy of Connacht of the Adrian Empire Medieval Group is expected to participate for the third consecutive year alongside the powder shoot competitors, who wear their armour and bring swords or spears.
“The medieval people have lots of colourful flags and have loud voices,” Depper-George said. “There’s lots of colour and fun activities.”
She said the shooters and the medieval participants are the perfect hybrid because, at the time the groups met in history, they were teaching each other various weaponry techniques.
“The two time periods overlap slightly,” she said. “It’s very early when the New World was discovered and the first settlers were here.”
Jim George, organizer with the Blackpowder group, said the event is an annual success.
“This is the third time [the medieval group] has decided they wanted to shoot Blackpowder and have some fun,” he said. “They will also be doing a demo.”
Anyone is welcome to join in the event, which is scheduled Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Events Schedule
Friday:
9 a.m. Shooter’s meeting
9:30 a.m. Trail walk
11 a.m. Pistol trail
1 p.m. Spear Throw/medieval
2 p.m. Secret squirrel event
6:30 p.m. Bardic circle
Saturday:
8 a.m. Shooter’s meeting
8:30 a.m. Trail walk
10 a.m. Pistol trail
1 p.m. Medieval demo
3:30 p.m. Cannon shoot
4:45 p.m. Matchlock
5:30 p.m. Potluck supper
6:30 p.m. Council fire Easter bonnet contest
Sunday:
9 a.m. Trail walk
9 a.m. Quail walk - shotgun
12:15 p.m. Awards
1 p.m. Cartridge shoot
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