BETHEL – Lectures, games and tournaments were among the many activities taking place during the 25th annual Sudbury Canada Days held by the Bethel Historical Society Aug. 13, 14 and 15.

University of New England professor Elizabeth De Wolfe provided the 13th annual Hall Memorial Lecture on Mary Dyer, during the celebration on Aug. 13.

Dyer was at the center of an aggressive anti-Shaker movement determined to thwart this new faith brought to America in the 1780s by Mother Ann Lee. With her husband and their five children, Dyer had been a Shaker for two years at Enfield, New Hampshire, but after leaving the sect requested the return of her children; neither her husband nor the Shaker authorities would relinquish them. Angry and alone, Dyer embarked on a 50-year campaign against the Shakers and was the centerpiece of the Shakers’ counterattack.

On Aug. 14 a horseshoe tournament was held with the following winners: Wally Hamlin of Waterford, first; Patty Hamlin of Waterford, second; Steve Estes, Waterford, third; Mark Boxtruck, South Paris, fourth; Arthur Henley, Greenwood, fifth.

The Children’s Parade started the festivities for the afternoon. Other events included traditional craft demonstrations, flower show, historical videos, art show, old time children’s games, croquet tournament, badminton tournament, ice cream eating contest. Overall winners in the Children’s Parade were: Elissa Dyer, first; Rosie Goldberg, second; Frank Galley, third. Other winners included Abbie Goldberg, Rachel Goldberg, Brian Walston, Gaby Fried, Andrew Siegel and Kayla Lane.

The badminton tournament was won by Gaby Fried of New York City. Brenda Dyer won the croquet tournament; her daughter Elissa Dyer was in second place. Judges for the Children’s Parade were Mary Eichel, Arlene Lowell and Barbara Mahler. The door prize was won by Jan Underhill of Bethel.

The Log Driver’s bean supper was followed by a talk on the life of a Civil War soldier by Gary Fuller of Greenwood, who has been involved as a Civil War re-enactor and edited Civil War documents for publication.

On Aug. 15 the flower show, historical videos and the farming/logging exhibit (with Tom Wheeler and Avery Angevine) continued. There was a number of people who attended the open house of the Lower Sunday River Schoolhouse (1895) hosted by Caroline Gould and Jane Young. The festival closed with the annual Hymn Sing at the Middle Intervale Meeting House with Ruth Silver at the piano.

Further information about the Bethel Historical Society and its activities may be obtained by calling (207) 824-2908 or (800) 824-2910 or e-mailing [email protected]. Additional information can also be obtained by checking its Web site at www.bethelhistorical.org. The mailing address is P.O. Box 12, Bethel, ME 04217-0012.