If you came to Shotgun Fest 2025, share your experience over on the TFL COMMUNITY! We'd love to hear what y'all have to say!

Shotgun Fest 2025 was bigger and better than ever, drawing shooters and enthusiasts from Minnesota and far beyond. Guests experienced:

• A Target Focused LIVE show featuring a special guest, Millennial Farmer Zach Johnson (who surprised the crowd with some trick shots of his own).
• A brand-new trick shot debut by Rylan, proving the next generation of exhibition shooters is already making waves.
• Over $10,000 in prizes, including shotguns, gear, and exclusive TFL merch.
• Exclusive gun demos from top brands like Benelli, Beretta, Browning, Mossberg, Retay, Fabarm, Caesar Guerini, Upland Gun Company, and more — all fueled by Federal Premium ammo.
• Unique challenges like the Can Cannon Smash, Basketball Bomb, Frantic Flurry, and Fastest Five.

Shotgun Fest wasn’t just an event — it was a celebration of community, shooting sports, and the joy of pulling the trigger.

We kicked things off with a high-energy Target Focused LIVE show — but this wasn’t your ordinary exhibition. Joining me on stage was my friend Zach Johnson, better known as The Millennial Farmer on YouTube, where he shares farm life with over a million subscribers. Zach is not only a content creator — he’s also one of my fellow owners here at Alexandria Shooting Park, and when he’s not farming, he’s spending weekends racing with his son, Onyx.

Having Zach on stage was a blast. He stepped out of his usual tractor cab and onto the shooting line, and the crowd loved every second. Against all odds, Zach pulled off some trick shots of his own, proving that his talents stretch well beyond farming and YouTube videos.

One of the highlights was my son Rylan debuting a brand-new trick shot he created earlier this summer. Seeing him pull it off in front of a live audience for the first time was a proud dad moment I’ll never forget.

After the show, attendees spread out across Alexandria Shooting Park to dive into the action:

• Can Cannon Smash: Launch a soda can and break a clay midair. It was so popular we had to run back to the store for more soda! Winners scored exclusive TFL hats.
• Fastest Five Challenge: Competitors blazed through five shells in a Mossberg 940 Pro, with the fastest shooter taking home a custom camo 940 Pro and a FalconStrike recoil system.
• Frantic Flurry: Teams battled 20 rapid-fire clays, with top shooters walking away with big prizes and bragging rights.
• Basketball Bomb: A near-impossible shot — blasting a basketball into a hoop. Against all odds, Leslie Nest drained the shot, winning a Retay Ace and FalconStrike system.

And of course, there were gun demos everywhere. Attendees test drove the latest from Mossberg, Retay, Breda, Upland Gun Company, Caesar Guerini, Fabarm, Browning, Beretta, Benelli, and more. Whether it was the feather-light Benelli Ultra Light 20ga or Browning’s 825 Trap Pro, shooters had the chance to try them all.

The day wrapped with an Annie Oakley showdown that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Justin, our 2025 champion, walked away with a traveling trophy, a ShotTracker kit, ESS glasses, and more. 

We also crowned top shooters in trap, skeet, and five-stand, plus honored high overall winners JC and Susan Saunders, a husband-and-wife duo from Kansas who proved Shotgun Fest is truly for everyone.

Looking back, Shotgun Fest 2025 had it all — from family-friendly fun to serious competition. My favorite moments were seeing Rylan crush his new trick shot, the Millennial Farmer nailing some impossible shots, and the energy of the crowd around the challenges. All that said, my very favorite was getting to walk around, hang out, and laugh with the TFL community! This event would not have been possible without you all!

I’m truly humbled and thankful for each person who came out — especially those who traveled from so far to be here. Your dedication and energy made this event what it was. And a huge thank you to my incredible partners and sponsors who believed in this vision and helped make Shotgun Fest possible. None of this could happen without the support of the TFL community and the amazing team that stands behind it.

VIP Night 2025: An Exclusive Kickoff the night before Shotgun Fest

The weekend began with an unforgettable VIP Night at Alexandria Shooting Park. This wasn’t about crowds big-stage moments — it was about community. A smaller, intimate group gathered to enjoy an evening that blended shooting, food, and fellowship.

The night featured unlimited rounds of Annie Oakley, giving everyone the chance to compete, laugh, and cheer each other on in a laid-back atmosphere. Between games, guests enjoyed a catered BBQ meal that hit the spot after an evening on the range.

As the sun went down, the group circled up around the campfire — swapping stories, sharing laughs, and building friendships that are every bit as important as the shooting itself.

VIP Night is what makes Shotgun Fest feel like family. It set the perfect tone for the weekend: relaxed, relational, and rooted in the kind of connections that last well beyond the event. If you’re considering Shotgun Fest 2026, VIP Night is an experience you’ll definitely want to be part of.

(Note: VIP Night was not included in the recap video, but it was an incredible part of the weekend experience.)

Shotgun Fest 2026 Dates Announced!

Mark your calendars: Shotgun Fest 2026 is set for July 24–25, 2026 at Alexandria Shooting Park in Alexandria, Minnesota.

Next year, we’re planning to make it bigger, better, and even more exciting. Keep an eye on your email for when tickets go live — you won’t want to miss it! 

A Huge Thank You to Our Sponsors

Shotgun Fest wouldn’t be possible without the amazing support of our partners. From keeping the ammo flowing to providing prizes, demos, and giveaways, they helped make this event one to remember.

Special thanks to Federal Premium for providing all of the ammo, FalconStrike, Carlson’s Choke Tubes, ShotTracker, Mossberg, Retay, Weatherby, Fabarm, Caesar Gaurini, ESS Eye Pro, Otis, and all of the venders who showed up and stood behind this event. Your partnership fuels not only Shotgun Fest, but the entire TFL community.

Want to see the brands we partner with (plus snag the discount codes)? Check them out here!

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

If you came to Shotgun Fest 2025, share your experience over on the TFL COMMUNITY! We'd love to hear what y'all have to say! If you weren't able to this year, We hope you see you at Shotgun Fest 2026!

Shotgun Fest isn’t just about shooting — it’s about bringing people together, building community, and creating memories around the sport we love. Whether you came from Minnesota or traveled from across the country, thank you for being part of it.

Until next year — Live Target Focused.

Steve Gould