BETHEL — The 38th annual New England Trappers Weekend will be held Aug. 21-24 at the home of Neil Olson.

Olson said he started it in 1977 after he realized there was a lack of quality trapping events in the area. During a 2013 interview, he described the event as “the Woodstock of trapper events,” where people from “all kinds of different states” gather to learn new trapping methods.

Admission is $5 for an adult and $5 per night of camping.

Dealers may begin setting up for the weekend on Thursday, Aug. 21, with the weekend officially kicking off at 7 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22.

Throughout Friday, there will be trapping and snaring events, along with talks by various guest speakers.

On Saturday, Aug. 23, the events continue starting at 7 a.m., including mink, rat and bear trapping demonstrations, a kids’ auction at noon and a dance at 9 p.m.

On Sunday, Aug. 24, the Trappers Weekend will wrap up with a 8:30 a.m. church service with trapper the Rev. Lloyd Waterhouse.

Among the popular events at the Trappers Weekend include contests for the best campsites and the best beard.

Olson said that awards will be given for the best campsite in each of the following categories: Cleanest, Most Primitive, Most American and Most Original.

Meanwhile, the best beard contest will judge participants’ beards on length, cleanliness and originality.

Olson said that the beard contest, heading into its third year, has become one of the popular events of the weekend.

There will also be a kids’ fishing contest that hands out awards for the first fish caught, most fish caught, last fish caught and for the fish caught with the longest pole.

For more information, call Olson at 207-875-5765, email him at memeolson@gmail.com or read the flier online at www.bethelmaine.com/uploads/calendar/Schedule-Trappers_Weekend_2014.pdf.

mdaigle@sunjournal.com

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