BETHEL — Trapping enthusiasts from 26 states and two Canadian provinces are expected to attend the 34th annual New England Trappers Weekend on Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 26-29, event organizer Neil Olson said recently.
According to the schedule, dealers will set up Thursday, Aug. 26, on Olson’s land at 760 East Bethel Road.
New to the event this year will be New York trappers Glynn Bold, a nationally famous trapper, and Johnny “the Legend” Thorpe, Olson said. There will also be a new campsite contest with winners chosen for Most Primitive, Cleanest, Most American, and Most Original.
Friday presentations feature Brian Palmer on “Canines” at 9 a.m.; Ruben Parker on “Pere Bunnell Hooping Beavers” at 10 a.m.; Bold on “New York Fisher” at 11 a.m.; Barry Weaton on “Time Management on Bobcat Line” at noon; Olson himself on “Beaver Trapping” at 1 p.m.; Jerry Braley on “Snaring Beaver Under Ice” at 2 p.m.; Mike Kazah on “Bear Trapping” at 3 p.m.; Bob Noonan with “some interesting raccoon sets” at 4 p.m.; a mini-auction at 6 p.m.; and Creature Catcher Dana Johnson on “Lures and Bait” at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday’s children’s events feature an egg toss, sack race, tug of war, one-legged race, and an eel race at 10 a.m. by Jerry Braley, with trophies awarded afterward.
Saturday’s presentations feature Maine guide David Wilson on a “Bear Trapping Demo” at 7 a.m.; Braley on “Fisher and Marten” at 8 a.m.; Jeff French of New York on “Water Animals Featuring Mink” at 8:45 a.m.; J. P. Wilson of New York on “Mink and Rats” at 9:30 a.m.; Johnson on “Live Trapping” at 10 a.m.; Bill Kasten of Pennsylvania on “Canines” at 10:45 a.m.; Larry Martin at 11:15 a.m. on “Western-Style Trapping” at 11:15 a.m.
Also, a kid’s auction at noon; Olson on “Canine Trapping” at 1 p.m.; Newt Sterling of New Jersey on “Snaring” at 1:45 p.m.; Thorpe showing trap line tips and ideas at 2:30 p.m.; the firing of the cannon and a children’s fishing contest at 3:30 p.m.; coon dog trials with trophies at 4 p.m.; another auction at 6 p.m.; and dance to music by Second Chance Band.
Sunday features a church service with Pastor Lloyd Waterhouse at 8:30 a.m.
Other activities include Max Traps for fishing enthusiasts; moose racks on display by Allie Ladd; Bob Noonan, editor and publisher of new magazine “Trappers Post;” Steve Stone with chainsaw carving back to the Stone Age; Up Country Snowshoes; antique traps appraiser Roger Mason; and more.
Admission is $5 per adult and $5 per night camping. Food is available, but people seeking steak and lobster have to call ahead to Craig at 781-8959. For more information about the event, contact Olson at 875-5765.
tkarkos@sunjournal.com
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