Despite having a lot of snow on the ground still, the first sign of spring is this weekend - the annual Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show at the Menard Center. You know that summer can't be too far away once the outdoor show season starts, and the Mat-Su show is the first one up on the calendar this year. It's lining up to be the biggest Mat-Su Outdoors Show ever, with vendors in the turf arena, the ice arena and outside the Menard. There also will be a handful of food trucks at the event.

The show, which runs Friday through Sunday (April 12-14), features fishing guides, outdoor products, lodges and many other outdoors-related vendors from around Alaska. You can literally line up your entire summer's worth of activities by visiting all the vendors - and many offer show-only pricing that can help you save a few dollars. There are more than 100 vendors attending the 2024 show.

The show runs noon-6 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $10, military with ID is $5 and children under 12 are free. Parking at the Menard is free as well. There is also free admission from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday. Throughout the three days, seminars are being offered on topics such as halibut fishing, solar systems for cabins, salmon fishing and how to field judge trophy bears, among other topics. There is no additional cost to attend the seminars.

The show is hosted by Mat-Su Events, which has put on similar shows around the Valley in the last few years.

Grab the kids and head down to the Menard Center this weekend - you may end up with a completely packed summer schedule!