BETHEL — The 12th annual Bethel Harvest Fest & Chowdah Cook-off will be celebrated Saturday, Sept. 19, with events for people of all ages and interests. As is the custom, residents throughout the area are encouraged to create a scarecrow for their front yard or porch.

This year’s theme is “Celebrating Our Agricultural Heritage – Farm to Table!.”

The popular chowdah cook-off, put on once again by Sysco Foodservice of Northern New England and Westminster Crackers, will offer delicious chowders from more than a dozen area restaurants. Free horse-drawn wagon rides will be provided by Deepwood Farms; there will be a woodcarving exhibition by Stone’s Wood Creations; and local musicians will play in the gazebo.

Anyone, whether a home baker or professional, is invited to compete in the apple pie contest. Good Food Store gift certificates will be awarded in three categories: professional, amateur traditional pie, and amateur nontraditional pie. If interested, contact the area chamber of commerce.

The Upper Andro Anglers Alliance invite all interested anglers, teams of three, to join in the annual two fly contest, starting at 6 a.m. Registration information and rules are posted on www.upperandro.com.

Also that day, the Bethel Historical Society will open its “Sunday River, Mt. Abram, and More! Celebrating the Ski Heritage of the Bethel Area” exhibit, in collaboration with the Ski Museum of Maine. Additionally, a self-guided barn tour will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Other festival highlights include chondola rides at Sunday River Resort, apple picking, alpaca farm visits, the UAAA Driftboat Competition at 10 a.m. on Sunday and rock sluicing.