The U.P. Trappers Association is hosting the 55th Annual National Trappers Association Convention and Outdoor Show July 24 - 27 at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba, Michigan.
This impressive National Convention has only been in Michigan's Upper Peninsula once before - and that was 41 years ago!
Many family-friendly events are planned to enhance the convention experience. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Pocket Park will be open for kids to enjoy supervised activities such as fishing, target practice. The MDNR will also have a Portable Laser Shooting Range set up with computerized games of skill.
The Award winning Growing U.P. Foresters Exhibit will be open for all to enjoy and learn about paper-making, the forest products industry, and the great outdoors.
Evoking the feel of a by-gone era, U.P. Steam and Gas Engine Village will be open to visitors for an interactive learning experience. Local artisans will be on hand to demonstrate traditional handicrafts such as glass blowing, knitting, spinning, weaving, quilting, pottery and woodcarving. Many of these goods are available to purchase. The Village also features a blacksmith shop, granary, barber shop, general store, cook shack and ice cream parlor.
Other planned activities include two wild-fur fashion shows (with top professional models), a Saturday night dance, a fund-raising auction, trapping and calling demos, trap setting contests, women's skillet toss, and hundreds of vendors selling trapping supplies, gadgets, crafts and antiques. For the ATV enthusiast a huge Polaris ATV display and Michigan's only ATV practical skills track facility will be open for demo use as well as student training. Bus tours to some of the beautiful wonders of the Upper Peninsula such as Fayette State Park, Big Springs, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore as well, as a "wine & dine" tour to a couple of the area's fine wineries, will be available to the general public (for a registration fee).
This huge national show is open to the general public and provides an opportunity for everyone to learn more about the world of trapping and all that the great outdoors has to offer. Admission is only $10 for all four days with 12 and under admitted free! Where else can you get so much for so little? For further information or vendor inquiries contact Tamara Masterson/Convention Coordinator at 248-568-5804, masterson@nationaltrappers.com or for more details visit www.uptrappers.com or www.nationaltrappers.com
