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I am not a survivalist, but some people may find this show interesting.
Mesa expo caters to preparedness Show's organizer wants to bring survivalists, vendors together by David Rookhuyzen - May. 6, 2012 09:29 PM The Republic | azcentral.com Lance Baker wants you to be prepared for the end of the world -- or maybe just for tomorrow. Baker is the organizer behind the Arizona Survivalist Show on May 19, an event targeted at survivalists and "preppers" -- people who gather supplies in case of a catastrophe. The movement has gained attention recently through the show "Doomsday Preppers" on the National Geographic Channel. The expo will feature more than 25 vendors selling such items as freeze-dried meals, first-aid supplies and solar ovens. Seminars about preparation will also be presented during the day. Baker said no guns will be sold. The survivalist expo has been two years in the planning and Baker said it could be the first in the southwestern United States. There is no way to estimate how many people it will attract, but Baker would like 1,500 to 2,000 people to come, he said. Baker, a procurement manager for Boeing Co., said he has been a part of the prepper movement since 2008. Worried about the shaky economy and supporting his family, Baker began to stock up on water, food and medical supplies. He found others who were preparing for a variety of situations, including natural disasters and financial hardships. Many were embarrassed to admit it out of fear of being ridiculed. Baker said prepping is not paranoia but the real-life application of the Boy Scouts' motto, "Be prepared." "You buy car insurance, why not buy life assurance?" he said. Baker said the event's goals are twofold. The most obvious is to connect preppers and survivalists with vendors. The second is to introduce the movement to the general audience and help it become more mainstream. It is surprising how many people are thinking about stocking supplies, and this is to help them take that first step, he said. Baker said he hopes the show will dispel the negative image of the survivalist, someone holed up away from civilization, and replace it with the prepper -- someone preparing to help themselves and neighbors in case of a crisis. "It's in the American mind-set to save and protect and help your community with your resources," he said. Lori Beavers-Fargo, who runs Freedom Military Surplus and Outdoor Store in Mesa with her husband, James, was one of the first vendors signed up for the event. A prepper herself with a 30-year food supply, Beavers-Fargo said everyone should have some measure of emergency preparedness. She said it's surprising how many people are beginning to store supplies. Every day she helps customers learn about storing water and food, she said. All levels of preppers come through the store, and only one out of a hundred are extreme end-of-the-world types, she said. "There are grandmas and grandpas that are preppers," Beavers-Fargo said. Tim Ralston, a Scottsdale resident who has recently become a public face for the movement after appearing on a Feb. 14 episode of "Doomsday Preppers," said the survivalist show will satisfy an exponentially growing market. After his television appearance, he said he was inundated with questions about preparing for an emergency. Ralston's company, Gear Up Center, which sells outdoor and survivalist gear, will also be a vendor at the show. A self-described "typical soccer dad," Ralston said he is like most preppers, wanting to provide for his family and community should the worst happen. And it's not all about earthquakes, hurricanes or nuclear bombs. Ralston said having supplies set aside for when the electricity fails or water pipes burst is common sense. "It's irresponsible not to have something in place to handle any emergency, big or small," Ralston said. The show will be held at and raise funds for the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force Museum in northeast Mesa. |