Photo by Chris Drummond The first ever Youth Sports Expo drew a variety of organizations and youth sports leagues inside the Red Baron Arena Saturday.

MARSHALL — The first Youth Sports Expo held at the Red Baron Arena brought 32 different sports and youth organizations together Saturday to allow kids to sign up for activities in the summer and beyond.

Visit Marshall Director Cassi Weiss said organizers wanted to promote Marshall’s youth sports and activities.

“So we thought of putting them all in one building, making booths and having families come out to interact,” she said.

Weiss said the event was thought of two years ago, but COVID-19 delayed it. She said it took about six to eight months to put the event together.

“I think for right now we’ll do it once a year,” Weiss said. ” I think possibly we could do a fall show, but definitely want to do one every year.”

Marshall Hockey board member Justin Jiskoot shared his thoughts on getting youths involved in their program to play.

“We try free events like try hockey for free for the month of April,” Jiskoot said. “Thursday nights we’re doing one hour skating for anyone that wants to try hockey for free. We’ll provide the gear and coaches, players will be out there helping the kids to try to get them interested in the sport.”

The Boys Scouts were also represented at the expo. Scout leaders Amanda Leach and Trent White said the expo will help with recruiting. “We do a big push in September or October, try to get them at beginning of school year,” White said. ” We show the kids all the fun stuff we do and hopefully they like it to join up.”

With its varsity team just coming off a state championship, the Marshall volleyball program was also represented. One of the younger players on B and C squad in Halla Casavan (B squad) spoke on how students can get involved in volleyball.

“Advertising at Expo shows like this and telling them about camps that we hold in the summer,” Casavan said.

Melissa Scholten and Elly Sprik, parents who attended the event, advocated on what sports their children are interested in.

“They will be doing baseball in the summer,” Scholten said.

“My girls do baton all year long,” Sprik said.

Sprik was pleased to see all the activities that are available in Marshall.

“It’s fun for the kids to try out the sport before we sign up and spend money on something. To see who’s in charge, who’s doing stuff, what there doing and how there setting it up has been exciting to see,” she said.