Next weekend will be all about the maple syrup in Elmira, but the following weekend will be one for guitar aficionados. April 14 is when the fourth annual Elmira Vintage Guitar Show and Swap rolls into town.
![John Woods is the organizer of the fourth Elmira Vintage Guitar Show and Swap coming to Lions Hall in Elmira on April 14. [Elena Maystruk / The Observer]](https://www.observerxtra.com/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/post_guitar.jpg)
“We got the idea from seeing other trade shows and swap meets and realized there wasn’t anything like that around the area for guitars,” said organizer John Woods.
Guitar shows are more popular south of the Canadian border and in recent years some have popped up in Toronto as well, but that still gives local producers and musicians limited options.
“We are the only show of this kind this side of Toronto,” Woods added.
This year’s “pièce de résistance” is a pair of very special guitars. One vendor, Bill Scheltema, is bringing two custom-built guitars soon to be delivered to Canadian icon Randy Bachman.
Woods said many vendors will be looking to sell their wares as well as trade with other enthusiasts and professionals.
“There are lots of independent builders and collectors in this area and there’s no real outlet for them to sell or display their guitars. The show was born partially out of that idea, too; that here’s an opportunity for local guys that are building three or four guitars a year, where they can come and show it off and try to meet with clients that might be interested in having a special guitar built.”
Every year the event has expanded to include more vendors and visitors that are looking for exposure, a good deal or just a place to talk music.
Last year the show saw about 500 visitors through the doors of Lions Hall in Elmira and in a few weeks Woods anticipates an even bigger turnout.
Woods – an avid guitar collector himself – is the show’s sole proprietor and often works with high school volunteers on the day of the event. He said if there is one thing still missing from the relatively new project it’s locals.
“In general we wish that more local people would come out. There’s been lots of people that come from all over, but there’s never been a huge contingency of local people come out, so I wish that locals would just come out, have a look around and see what it’s all about.”
The show runs April 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lions Hall in Elmira. Admission is $7 at the door. Vendors can contact info@ontarioguitarshows.com for more information.
