If you read our recent article about 3 Gun, then you may know that it's the nation's fastest-growing shooting sport. Why? Because it's fast-paced, set on several differing courses-of-fire, and feels more like a real-life video game than the more staid shooting sports. However, it's hard to understand just how cool and different this sport is unless you've seen it done, or experienced it yourself. That's why you and your family should make plans to check out the Starlight 3 Gun Championship, which is set to take place at the Peacemaker National Training Center in Gerrardstown, West Virginia. This nighttime event is designed to be just as thrilling to watch as it is to shoot. Even better, it will be held in conjunction with the NRA’s World Shooting Championship—so there will be plenty of daytime activities for your family to enjoy before dusk sets in.
"Our goal is to popularize the concept of athletic shooting competitions by making events entertaining to shooters, non-shooters and spectators—and to do that, we're amping up the entertainment value without sacrificing safety," says Starlight 3 Gun organizer Jim Shepherd. "With thumping music, fog, strobe lights, pyrotechnics and special effects, it's a true 'event'—but it will primarily showcase the skills of our shooting professionals. Young people who see this event will want to become shooting pros because they'll see a sport that integrates shooting skills with athleticism."
You can do more than just watch: There will be spectator participation areas where adults and children can try their hand at shooting. There will also be a safe-play area for children to enjoy while parents check out the competition and exhibits. There will be plenty of professional concessionaires, restroom facilities and an entertainment stage. To add to the fun, Replay XD cameras will be covering the nation's top 3 Gun competitors as they make their way over the six courses-of-fire, with dozens of their high-definition video cameras offering both spectators and shooters a look at this high-energy sport in a way you've never seen before at a shooting competition. "Replay has covered many of the most extreme sports in the world," says Shepherd, "but this will be their first venture into professional shooting. We are absolutely certain they'll do their usual job and knock this one out of the park."
Spectators and competitors will also have unique opportunities to learn about Replay and the other sponsors via GunDealio. One of the hottest new ideas in the shooting world's outdoor space, GunDealio is a smartphone-based application that brings shooters great deals when they visit GunDealio's participating dealers.
For the Starlight 3 Gun event, GunDealio is treating the Peacemaker National Training Center as one of their retail locations, creating a digital domain where spectators, shooters and sponsors with the GunDealio app on their smartphone will be offered chances to claim prizes or take advantages of "dealios" not available anywhere outside the event.
"We've been putting together some terrific opportunities based on GunDealio," Shepherd says, "one lucky shooter will have their entry fee handed back to them—in cash—and there will be terrific one-time offers for shooters, spectators and fans who have GunDealio loaded into their smartphone."
A limited number of professional and amateur shooting slots still remain for the event. Three gun shooters and companies wanting to take advantage of the unique opportunity can learn more at www.starlight3gun.com.
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