BETHEL – A wide range of activities are planned for the 25th annual Sudbury Canada Days to be held Friday through Sunday, Aug. 13 to 15, on the grounds of the Bethel Historical Society’s Regional History Center.

The Hall Memorial Lecture delivered by Dr. Elizabeth De Wolfe of the University of New England, “Fighting Pious Frauds and Base Deceptions: Anti-Shakerism in New England,” will open the events at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Dr. Moses Mason House Exhibit Hall.

A horseshoe pitching tournament will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday. At 1 p.m. the children’s parade will begin the official festivities. The theme is “Molly Ockett and Local Folk.” There will be craft demonstrations and exhibits, flower show, historical videos, art show, old-time children’s games, farming/logging exhibit, badminton and croquet tournaments, ice cream eating contest and a log driver’s bean supper. Following the supper, Gary Fuller will present lore of the Civil War.

The flower show, historical videos and farming/logging exhibit will continue on Sunday. There will be an open house at the 1895 Lower Sunday River Schoolhouse in Newry and an old-time hymn sing at the Middle Intervale Meeting House at 7 p.m.

More information on the event or volunteer opportunities can be gained by calling 824-2908 or 1-800-824-2910.

Sudbury Canada was Bethel’s name from the time of the granting of the township in 1768 until its incorporation in 1796. The early name honored the original grantees from Sudbury, Mass., who had fought unsuccessfully to conquer Canada in 1690.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts rewarded the men with land in the District of Maine, naming it in honor of their Massachusetts town and the campaign in which they had served. Bethel was never part of Canada. Sudbury Canada Days, the summer heritage festival of the Bethel Historical Society, honors the town’s heritage dating from the 18th century.

The Yankee Brass Band Concert was held on July 31 at the West Parish Congregational Church due to the rain. It attracted nearly 250 and provided a “living history” of music in the early and mid-years of the 19th century, played with period instruments.

More information about the society and its activities may be obtained by e-mailing info@bethelhistorical.org or visiting www.bethelhistorical.org. The mailing address is P.O. Box 12, Bethel, ME 04217-0012.