Volunteers with the Escanaba Seventh-day Adventist Food Pantry sort through donations collected at the fourth-annual U.P. Ice Fishing and Hunting Expo that took place this past weekend at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba. (Courtesy photo)

ESCANABA — Multiple nonprofits will benefit from the success of the fourth-annual U.P. Ice Fishing and Hunting Expo that took place at the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds in Escanaba this past weekend.

The event in the Ruth Butler building, organized by the Daily Press and sponsored by local businesses, had about 70 vendors in one location who provided a chance for ice anglers, hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts to prepare for upcoming seasons and network with others.

This year, an arts and crafts show also occupied a neighboring building at the fairgrounds.

About 2,800 people visited the U.P. Ice Fishing and Hunting Expo during its run from Friday through Sunday, said organizer Sarah Greenlund, who also is publisher for the Daily Press.

As in previous years, the expo had no cost for admission but those attending were asked to bring donations of either shelf-stable food goods, cash or supplies for the Delta Animal Shelter. Saturday and Sunday, a donation bucket for Scouting America was added as a third option.

At the conclusion of the three-day event, seven grocery carts had been filled with the food donations.

Once the collections had been delivered to the Escanaba Seventh-Day Adventist Church food pantry, this year’s selected recipient, Director Robin Wycoff reported the total haul weighed 1,271 pounds. It all will be distributed locally.

Last year’s beneficiary of the food goods was St. Vincent de Paul.

The Delta County Animal Shelter received $988 in cash plus a grocery cart full of supplies. Last year, they collected $558 in cash.

The local Scouting America troop, which assisted by operating a fishing pond and minnow races at the expo, collected $359 in donations.

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Escanaba asked to volunteer, and their members helped out by manning a booth at the crafters’ building. They were able to sell 41 tickets for their charity ball.

The U.P. Ice Fishing and Hunting Expo has evolved in its few short years of operation. The first one was in October 2022, but based on feedback, it now takes place in September to provide more time before hunting season. Attractions like the fishing pond and craft collection have been recently added. Each year, more new vendors from around the Midwest have discovered the event and traveled to attend.

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R. R. Branstrom can be reached at 906-786-2021 or rbranstrom@dailypress.net.