On Saturday March 16th, I went to the Gun and Knife Show at the Central Florida Fair Grounds on Colonial Drive in Orlando FL. I didn’t find out until I got there that admission was $9. I’ve seem guns on TV, so I didn’t see the point of paying to see guns on display. Instead I sat down near the police cars figuring that would be the safest place to sketch from. People walked by with semi-automatic rifles and machine guns sling over their shoulders. It felt a bit third world. If the person wasn’t sporting a gun on their shoulder, then they were carrying one or several lock boxes full of hand guns. Insider there was a concealed weapons class which just made me wonder if everyone had a hand gun tucked in their belt or in an ankle harness. The guns on parade were just the tip of the iceberg.
I’m sure I could have discovered a very sketch able scene inside, but Terry was driving home from Miami and I wanted to be home when she arrived. A food truck next to the Gun Show pavilion was serving plenty of corn dogs and beer. I found it ironic the the guns had taken over the Creative Arts Pavilion of the fairgrounds. The creative Arts Pavilion is where you go to see children’s art when the Fair is in full swing. As a kid I was so proud when I got a blue ribbon for the art I put on display in a county fair. I had constructed a working R2D2 droid out of scraps I found around the house. I should have figured out how to construct a working gun out of those scraps.
When the sketch was done, I walked around the outdoor flea market which was in an field next to the pavilions. Vendors were already packing up and there was no shade so I didn’t stop to sketch. Some other weekend I’ll explore the refuge on display. One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure.
Mark your Calendar! The next gun Show is on May 17 and 17th at the Central Florida Fair Grounds. The Hours will be Saturday 9:00am – 5:00pm and Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm. Admission is Adult: $9.00 Children: 12 & Free Parking