SPARTA -- Certainly for gun enthusiasts and even for those not that interested in guns, the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta is quite overwhelming to witness in person.
Remarkably, there is a two-mile-plus line of trap houses that remain busy Aug. 1-11 -- the 10-day period that marks the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships. And this year marks the 13th season at Sparta, having moved from Vandalia, Ohio in 2006.
On Wednesday of this week, hundreds of shooters were either competing or practicing their marksmanship with clay targets.
Maria Julia Edling, 18, was one of 80 Brazilians who made the trek to Randolph County from South America.
Edling explained that this was her fifth year at Sparta, first coming to the U.S. when she was 13 with her father -- Acir Mores Edling -- who is president of the Brazilian Trapshooting League. She said she is more accustomed to the Olympic-style of target shooting as she is a member of the Brazilian Junior Olympics team.
"Olympic style is much faster and the shooting distance is longer," Edling said. "That's what makes it so challenging here," she said. "You have to adjust."
Edling said that while she thoroughly enjoys the competition aspect of trapshooting, she also enjoys making new friends and has done so each year she has visited.
"That's one of the best parts," she said.
The Edlings were staying in O'Fallon and driving to the shooting complex the last week. They were leaving the region this weekend.
Jim Thomson came to Sparta with a group of friends from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
"I've been coming to the Grand American Championships for years. I think I've only missed one time," Thomson said. "The competition is great and this is the biggest game in our sport, so it's nice to be able to attend."
Thomson said he evolved into a trapshooter after learning how to be a bird hunter from his father and uncle.
"For the longest time, I didn't even know there was an organized trapshooting competition," he said. "Once I found out, I gave it a try. I ended up winning a trophy in my classification and was hooked from that point on. A group of us have been coming here ever since."
Thomson said he spends almost all daylight hours on the course or visiting myriad gun vendor shops at the complex.
"I have also had a chance to meet people from all over North America and the world for that matter," he said.
Clay Laughlin, 16, from Durant, Oklahoma was making his fourth visit to Sparta.
"I first got involved with trapshooting through 4H and fell in love with it," he said. "I probably fired about 10,000 rounds over the last year practicing for this tournament."
Laughlin said he also enjoys renewing old acquaintances and making new friends each year.
"I've been having a great time here. Everyone is so friendly everywhere we go -- the restaurants and stores. I expect we will be coming here for the next several years.'
Jody Goetting of Pinckneyville is a line supervisor of scorers and loaders.
"This is my fifth year," Goetting said. "I love meeting and talking with the people -- some from all over the world. We have 80 shooters here from Brazil, and there are also shooters from South Africa, Australia, Germany, England and Canada. They tell me they love the facility -- that many have been all over the world and have not found anything like it is here in Sparta. I think we sometimes take for granted just how good we have it."
Goetting said the one Australian man he met told him that it was his "dream" to come and shoot at Sparta.
"It's stories like that which make it so fun to be here," he said.
And to be clear, trapshooting is not a cheap sport. Some shooters spend thousands of dollars on their guns, apparel and accessories. Participants to the Grand American event also spend millions of dollars in the greater Southern Illinois region over the 10-day period.
Ana Steine, Charlie Bluff and Debra Sutter, representing the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce, confirmed Thursday that Randolph County alone will likely net upward of $18 million from the annual festivities.
"Virtually all businesses in the region will benefit in one form or another," Bluff said.
