I am not sure how to make this story all that interesting, so I’ll just tell it like it is.

I went to the Sportsmen Show on Saturday, and took my boys for a guy’s day out, while Mom stayed home and worked.

Couldn’t believe the line to get in. Maybe a thousand people!

What recession?

Couldn’t believe how many more people were inside the show.

I repeat. What recession?

Everybody there looked like they were from my hometown. Which makes perfect sense because the last time I went, I was an 8 year old from Orillia.

People were buying boats, guns, hot dogs, and dog chow.

What recession?

My kids had a riot.

They tried archery. Mom was not happy (with me).

Shot air rifles. Mom’s really not happy now.

They rock climbed. Mom was surprised.

They ate candies, ice cream and drank Sprite. Mom wasn’t surprised.

They rode motocross bikes. Mom was freaked.

Ah yes. The motocross bikes. My boys, ages six and eight, got geared up from head to toe and tried out real bikes for the first time ever. The program was managed by the Yahama Racing Academy. They were real pros. Excellent with the kids, and even better with the parents. On time. Very organized. You name it. Plus they were respectful yet informative with their sales pitch to attend their academy some day.

My kids said it was the best they ever did. Their Mom predicted they would want bikes for Christmas.

So at dinner I popped the question. What do you want for Christmas? (It’s a weekly year-round question in our household!).

Mom was right. They want bikes.

I guess Mom didn’t realize how much she knew about experiential marketing!