Self Reliance Expo Anyone?

[Spartan]

Did anybody attend the Self Reliance Expo in Colorado Springs? Opinions? Observations?

I thought that the show was smaller than last year with fewer vendors and less variety. I tried to buy a couple cans of Daily Bread, but was told that the minimum order was 3 CASES! Great business model. I bought elsewhere. My kids did enjoy the appleseed shoot. I will be taking my oldest to some of the shoots.

[theGinsue]

I went yesterday.

It cost $10 to get in the door and I feel like I was cheated.

They did have a guy selling ammo who seemed to have some really good 7.63x39 prices. .223 prices seemed high to me.

Doomsday Preppers was there too. They are the only ones giving out swag; very disappointing.

I tried talking to the lady working the Doomsday Preppers table and I had 2 different couples force their way between me and the woman so I gave up and left.

I was also interested in the egg crystals but too many people crowding that table to get any info on the stuff (price, how much crystals to make how much egg.).

Seems like the biggest trend amongst the vendors was "You can prepare for hard times if you spend lots of money buying my product."

[Inconel710]

I went on Friday. They gave military discount, so my son and I got in for $8 (he's 7yo). Had a decent couple of hours. I stayed the hell away from the Doomsday morons. Spent some good time with the Equip2Endure guys. Joe showed my son how to use a Blastmatch and he had fun setting jute on fire. Joe also showed me how to use a machete and a ferro rod (not earth shattering but educational).

The best part of the show was the Appleseed range set up in the back. It was my son's first time using iron sights and he shot about a 1 inch group with the air rifle. That was awesome considering his arms are so short, he had the stock under his arm instead of on his shoulder. That target was the first thing he showed his mom when we got home!

Looking back, I wish I'd bought some of the books that were available. I had no idea who "Doom and Bloom" was until Sunday - I should have picked up their book. I also tried some of the Thrive freeze dried food - that stuff is every bit as good as I heard and the prices aren't unreasonable. Most of the gear for sale was ridiculously overpriced. I had to bite my tongue a few times since I knew what Sportsmans Warehouse charges for some of that stuff.

I know I made one guy unhappy. I was looking at their backpacks when he started to chat me up. About that time I saw the price tag and said something about "those are Kifaru prices" and put the pack down on the table. The Solar Oven guys were ridiculous as well. Who's going to pay $300 for something you can DIY for under $50???

[bradbn4]

The only reasons I went were
1) I could skip lunch and do it over my break.
2) I was looking to compare how well this show was versus the one in Denver
Summary: The Denver show had better shills - ahh speakers covering some very good topics. Both events were too small to make it worth while to go unless there was a special presentation that would make it worth while.

I had hoped to find some local points of contact for organic bulk food - but no such luck.

[spleify]

I went to the one in Denver once....I wont make that mistake again. What a total waste of time.

[Wulf202]

I had hoped to find some local points of contact for organic bulk food - but no such luck.

pm kellytte.

[bradbn4]

pm kellytte.

I was looking for something in Colorado Springs - the current one I buy from in in Monument.