A longstanding tradition returns to Ulysses this weekend as the 52nd Ulysses Gun and Coin Show sets up shop at the Grant County Civic Center. Event chairman Chase Trahern said last year was one of the biggest shows in the history of the event, and he expects to match it this year.
“Last year was definitely one of our best shows,” Trahern said. “I think was had 125 (tables) last year, give or take, and I think by the time we’re ready for the show, I think we’ll be in that range again.”
Admission is a $5 donation and this year’s show takes place Feb. 1-2 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. The show is one of the biggest events in Ulysses, with 1,200 attendees at last year’s Saturday show and 400 on Sunday, according to Trahern.
Vendors come to Ulysses from the surrounding area, and Trahern said there will be 39 vendors set up.
“I have 124 tables,” Trahern said, adding that he had 125 tables last year but some pulled out so he ended up with 115. “If everything holds up, we should have a pretty darn good show.”
Guns, coins, knives, crafts, toys, jewelry, antiques and more will be available, and Becky’s Concessions and Catering will be on hand for food and drink options. This will be the first gun show for Becky’s Concessions as Tate’s Barbecue had provided food for the last few years but was unable to because of his new restaurant.
“So far I’ve got a bunch of gun dealers, and I know I’ve got one really big knife dealer coming,” Trahern said. “We’ve just got a little bit of everything. Ninety-nine percent of our stuff is guns and coins and knives, but then we’ve got a little bit of the jewelry and knick-knacks mixed in for those people who like that type of stuff.”
Becky’s Concessions and Catering will be making four or five different meals, Trahern added.
“She’ll be set up for everybody,” he said.
An example of vendors coming to Ulysses include CF’s Blade Worx out of Hugoton, The Safe Company from Garden City which Trahern said will have high-end gun safes, Hale’s Guns and Ammo from Ulysses, Matt Tarbet, Snyder Firearms, Mountain Man, Mary’s Antiques and Collectibles who has been a longtime vendor at the show, Origami Owl which offers high end jewelry, metal sign makers and Fort Wallace Museum will have a couple tables set up.
Gun sales may or not require paperwork depending on whether you buy from a dealer or an individual, Trahern said.
“Last year I checked a ton of guns walking out the door,” Trahern added.
The event originally took place in March and was begun by the Ulysses Jaycees, but the Ulysses Gun Club took over in 1973 and has put it together ever since. The event was moved to the second weekend in February and took place at The Tiger Pit at Kepley Middle School before eventually moving to the more spacious civic center in 1977. It was reported in 1973 there was room for 50 tables at $5 per table, and the first show did not allow gun sales.
“It definitely is one of the biggest events in Ulysses, one of the oldest ones, too,” Trahern said.
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