Every May, the Outdoor Sports Expo brings families, vendors, and donated gear to the parking lot outside the Green Door in Beaver Bay. The event returns alongside the Historic Green Door Smelt Fry on May 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering live music, food, raffles, and a growing list of auction items contributed by businesses across the North Shore.
The Expo began in 2018, shortly after Beaver Bay Days came to an end. Organizer Jesse Viola, who was managing the Green Door at the time, wanted to keep a community tradition alive.
“I decided to put on some type of event in Beaver Bay to get people out enjoying the weather, doing something outside,” he said. “So I came up with the idea of doing this expo to raise money for kids for outdoor use activities.”
What started as a small indoor gathering quickly expanded. After two years, the event moved outdoors under a 20×30 tent to accommodate more vendors and donated items. Businesses from Two Harbors to Grand Marais began contributing gift certificates, products, and services.
“It is kind of interesting the amount of businesses that jumped on board,” Viola said. “They all came together and participated every year.”
Today, the Expo supports even more youth programs, including the Silver Bay Junior Golf Program, the Two Harbors Junior Golf Program, and the Silver Bay Clay Busters Trap Team. Viola also uses funds to reimburse families for the state fees required for youth snowmobile, ATV, and gun safety certifications to keep kids outdoors.
The impact of that support is visible. When Viola and fellow organizer Mike Guzzo helped restart the Silver Bay junior golf program in 2021, they had 21 participants. Last year, nearly 60 kids took part.
“It’s amazing how a little bit of promotion gets kids out and about doing stuff outside in the summer times,” Viola said.
For Viola, the mission is simple: give kids reasons to be outside.
“Kids are always busy during the school year,” he said. “When summertime comes, they need outdoor activities.”
He credits parents for making the programs possible, stating, “If the parent is not interested, the kids aren’t going to be interested. I have 100 percent respect for all the parents.”
The Expo has also grown alongside the revival of the Historic Green Door Smelt Fry. The two events draw crowds that fill the parking lot and spill across the grounds.
“It’s grown every year,” Viola said. “The parking lot’s full.”
Running the Expo is a concentrated effort that ramps up in early May. Viola spends the weeks leading up to the event contacting businesses, collecting donations, and organizing auction items. Friends now help with the technical side, and he relies on his computer to track past participants.
“The next weeks are going to be very busy for me, getting a hold of the businesses and collecting donations and certificates,” he said.
This year’s flyer highlights the programs supported and encourages families to stop by the tent during the Smelt Fry. The event is presented in partnership with the City of Beaver Bay and Lovin’ Lake County, along with many generous sponsors.
Viola welcomes new sponsors and volunteers. He said people can reach him through his Facebook page, the Outdoor Sports Expo Facebook page, Messenger, or email at jessviola50@ gmail.com.
“There’s plenty of time for people to jump on the bandwagon,” he said.
For businesses, the Expo offers a chance to support programs that directly benefit local kids. For families, it’s an easy way to spend a Saturday outdoors, browse donated items, enjoy some smelt, live music, and much more.
The Outdoor Sports Expo has grown every year, but its purpose has stayed the same: to give kids access to outdoor activities that can last a lifetime. Whether it’s golf, trap shooting, snowmobiling, or ATV riding, Viola believes these programs help build confidence, skills, and community connection.
“These programs wouldn’t exist without the commitment of the parents and the local businesses up and down the shore,” he said.
With the smelt fry drawing crowds, the Expo in full swing, and the event offering a full afternoon of activities, May 16 is shaping up to be one of Beaver Bay’s busiest days of the year. For anyone looking to support youth programs, discover local vendors, or simply enjoy a community event, the Outdoor Sports Expo offers a chance to be part of something that continues to grow.
