Decoy and outdoor collectable show to be held at Backus

Attendees to the Canadian Decoy Outdoor Collectibles Association annual show and sale on Sept. 20 will be able to preview the Davidson Decoy Gallery in the Backus Education Centre. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Jeff Helsdon photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

The Backus Education Centre will play host to the Canadian Decoy Outdoor Collectibles Association annual show and sale on Sept. 20.

Bruce Malcolm, the local association member organizing the show at Backus, said the show will also be an opportunity to see a preview of the new Davidson Decoy Gallery set to open in the spring. In addition to decoys from some of the 30-plus local decoy carvers who were working in the area, there are pieces from across the province.

There will be about 30 display tables as part of the show, all from members of the association

“The concept is similar to the Port Rowan Yard Sale, except for the material – there will be everything from $50 decoys to $10,000 decoys,” Malcolm said.

The show will be more than duck decoys though. Fish decoys, antique duck calls, fishing reels, and fishing lures, plus old traps, art works and even vintage hunting clothing will all be available for sale. Vendors at the show will also be buying items from the public.

Explaining the concept of fish decoys, which are more unknown today, he explained these were used while ice fishing to attract a fish to the hole where it could be speared.

Malcolm said the area was a natural fit for the show with its rich waterfowling heritage.

“It’s close to Long Point, Turkey Point, the traditional waterfowling area and close to where the decoy makers lived, so we decided it should be at Backus,” he said.

He mentioned local Pheneas Reeves, who was born in 1823 and died in 1892.

“It’s documented he was making decoys in the 1860s,” he said.

The show also has a tie to the Long Point area. The first show was a private event, organized by three individuals, including Art Philp, who grew up in Port Rowan. It was then acquired by Paul Brisco before the association was formed in 1996. Malcolm was one of the founding members.

The show runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and has an admission fee of $5. Backus Heritage Education Area is located at 1267 2nd Concession, Port Rowan.