Regional Ohio firearms-related events, including one this weekend!

Occasionally Buckeye Firearms Association is made aware of regional firearms-related events that may be of interest to our readers. Following are details on two such events.

REALIZE Firearms Awareness Coalition Third Annual Preppers Ball - March 11, 2017

The group REALIZE Firearms Awareness Coalition is pleased to announce that their Third Annual Preppers Ball. This Tallmadge, Ohio based event mixes education with fundraising for REALIZE and their firearms safety mission. This is the third year and offers education with over a dozen presenters and speakers educating the group on a variety of topics ranging from book authors speaking on armed defense, to advice on raising chickens.

Amanda Suffecool, Director of the not-for-profit group REALIZE Firearms Awareness Coalition, stated that “We have a terrific line up of speakers, taking place on 3 stages within the facility. The QRFOhio will be in speaking on preparedness, and what it means to your family. Progressive Fighting Systems will be offering some hands-on training from a former Navy Seal. And then we have Jennifer giving advice on raising chickens. We try to offer a diverse mixt of speakers and seminars so that we appeal to all levels of preppers.”

Radio personalities Bob and Karen Golic will be emceeing the program with the assistance of former Portage County commissioner Tommie Jo (Marsillio) Brode. They will be on the main stage, leading the event and letting folks know where and when different programs will be taking place.

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the prizes. As part of the event, and in conjunction with the Prepping theme, REALIZE is offering ticket holders a chance to win more than 10,000 worth of prizes ranging from Preppers Buckets, to firearms to food preservation items. Details for the event are on the website www.REALIZEfac.com. Tickets are available locally at all Fin, Feather and Fur locations, Henry Bierce Hardware in Tallmadge, and Mantua Hardware in Mantua.

REALIZE is a local not-for-profit that spends their time, money and effort promoting firearms safety in the Portage and Summit county areas. They recently received national attention with their concealed carry fashion show that will be featured on season 2 of a national documentary “States of Undress” on Viceland, in addition to some local attention. REALIZE is also the primary sponsor for the radio show www.EyeOnTheTargetRadio.com which is available on WNIR and KRMARadio.com. REALIZE is staffed with volunteers who are working on a pro-gun, pro-safety positon to take a stand and make a difference in our community. They are reaching out with a request for volunteers to help them with this mission.

2017 44th Annual Bavarian Schützenfest - June 10, 2017

The Bavarian Club of Deshler has organized and operated the Bavarian Schützenfest since 1973. This activity is a traditional competition copied from the cultures of Germany and Switzerland. The Schützenfest allows competitors to shoot a .22 caliber rifle with peep sites at a bullseye 100 yards away.

For the first time ever, organizers will focus on promoting young people becoming more active in outdoor sporting activities such as hunting, fishing, target shooting, archery, etc., by encouraging more participation from shooters under 18 years old. Both boys and girls, of any age, will be allowed to compete, as long as they can handle, load, fire and unload the .22 rifle safely without assistance. The Henry-Wood Sportsman’s Alliance will be providing help and leadership.

Shooting at the 2017 event will be held only on Saturday, June 10, at the Bavarian Haus, 3-814 SR 18, Deshler, OH 43516. Shooting will begin at 1:00PM. The Schützenfest always has and will still allow both adults and youngsters to compete in separate divisions. If time runs short, priority will be given to shooters under 18 years old, to get all preliminary shooting finished before the 7:00 PM shoot-off begins.

Also, for the first time in 2017, young shooters will be competing to win an American-made Henry .22 Lever Action Rifle as the grand prize.