The Arizona Freedom Festival was held this past weekend, drawing upwards of 3,000 attendees. But, maybe more importantly, it drew 39 exhibiting vendors, with half of them local Arizona firearms industry companies.

Now in its third year, the Arizona Freedom Festival is the brainchild of Kyle Read, the President of True Shot Gun Club. For those unfamiliar with True Shot, the Tempe based company is the largest ammo retailer in the Grand Canyon State and in the top five nationally.

With pallets of ammunition at the ready, customers came for the ammo deals, but stayed for the firearms and gear. Photo by P. Erhardt

The event was started not just to sell ammo, which, let’s not kid ourselves, has been fairly easy in the last couple years, but to also showcase the many Arizona firearms industry companies.

In speaking with True Shot’s marketing manager, John Fahrner, he told me there were 10 vendors in year one, then 25 last year. This year’s 39 vendors all but maxed out the parking lot at True Shot’s headquarters. And with customers in a line prior to the event open that snaked three blocks through the neighborhood, there’s a real chance that next year’s event will require blocking off the street to allow for more companies to participate.

Obviously, True Shot’s ammo deals had a lot to do with the huge turnout. John estimates that the day’s ammo sales would rival what True Shot does on Black Friday. But, the fact that there were so many vendors offering a hands-on, face-to-face product experience can’t be overlooked in what drew people to the Arizona Freedom Festival.

True Shot’s parking lot was lined on both sides with pop-up tents for vendor from Arizona and beyond. Photo by P. Erhardt

Fred Mastison of Chandler based Force Options USA, a training, security and consulting firm, was exhibiting for the second time. He noted that we’re going to see events like these, and Sig’s Freedom Days, which was held earlier in the year in Arizona, more and more.

“These consumer focused events give customers not just a hands-on experience with products but the opportunity to interface with the team behind those products, creating a bond with the brand,” explained Mastison. “When consumers can say ‘I know a guy at’ when talking about a brand, they personalize that brand. We’ll see more events like these throughout the country.”

Brandon Finch, the National Accounts Manager for Century Arms, a three time festival vendor, echoed Mastison’s take adding that, “you can only learn so much online about a product so getting it into a consumer’s is important.”

Attendees went hands-on with the variety of firearms on display at the Century Arms booth, proving Finch’s point that online shopping only goes so far to answer consumer questions. Photo by P. Erhardt

The on-site vendors were a mix of local and national companies. You had larger brands, like Mossberg, but you also had much smaller companies.

Michael Cox, Founder, President, CEO and 'Chief Cook and Bottle Washer’ at Cox Arms USA, along with his wife Athena, see this event as the perfect opportunity for a self proclaimed ‘micro band’ like Cox to introduce their locally manufactured premium AR rifles to consumers.

“Today gives us the chance to put our rifles into people’s hands so they can touch and feel our products. Because we are a small company many are unfamiliar with who we are. Any exposure we can get is good,” said Michael.

Among the firearms and accessory manufacturers present on Saturday were organizations like Gun Owners of America and AZ CCW Online.

Top: Gun Owners of America (GOA) is an important voice in the fight to protect Second Amendment rights, and a welcome voice here in Arizona where so many citizens own and carry firearms. Bottom: Concealed carry is common in Arizona, which is a constitutional carry state, where a permit is not required and open carry is permitted. But that doesn’t stop thousands from obtaining their carry permit. Photos by P. Erhardt

I took my time visiting with vendors which gave me the opportunity to catch up with some good friends. I also learned a thing or two.

At the Ben Avery Clay Busters tent I got all the details on their skeet and sporting clays leagues, so I can now sign up and show-off how I expertly miss clay targets, just like I do doves.

One booth that really caught my attention was that of Koted Arms, a company in Mesa, Ariz. that specializes in production Cerakote work as well as highly customized firearms incorporating both laser engraving and detailed Cerakote work.

I chatted with Jonathan ‘JD’ Devries, the owner of Koted Arms, and he showed me a custom Sig Sauer P320 he had on display. The pistol had 40 to 50 hours of design, laser and Cerakote work done to it. The price tag was for that kind of customization is upwards of $2,000, and that excludes the cost of the pistol itself.

My favorite vendor – by far – was Jason Smith of Sonora Sam’s. This was my first Sonoran Hot Dog and I can’t tell you exactly what was on it but it was damn good. 5 Stars, Jason. Photo by P. Erhardt

Of course, I did have a favorite booth, and this will probably not come as a surprise, but it was one of the on-site food trucks. If you are in Arizona when True Shot hosts their next Freedom Festival, do yourself a favor and swing by. You won’t be disappointed. And be sure to see Jason at Sonora Sam’s. He’ll take good care of you.

-- Paul Erhardt, Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network