We take a lot for granted in our fast-paced, mechanized, high-tech world.
If you have ever wanted to get a feel for how things were in the so-called olden days, Columbia is the place to be next month.
The Pleasant River Fish & Game Conservation Association will give people a chance to take a small and temporary step back in time when it holds its eighth-annual Puckerbrush Primitive Gathering.
The event, which will be held July 14-16 at the club’s grounds on Tibbetstown Road, is focused on demonstrating and teaching a variety of primitive outdoor skills.
Offerings will include traditional archery, bushcraft, basic survival skills, canoeing and handcrafts such as bow making, blacksmithing, woodworking and fire craft. Most of the activities are designed as hands-on workshops that will provide attendees with the opportunity to participate.
“The primitive skills, that’s just such a fun thing to do,” said Pleasant River Fish & Game Conservation Association member Al West, who will do fly-fishing classes during the event.
“Having the capability of starting a fire without a match or a lighter, being able to pull out a flint and steel, it impresses a lot of people,” he said.
The Puckerbrush Primitive Gathering is set up to cater to people of all ages, skill levels and interests. It is designed to be an interactive educational experience.
The event offers the opportunity to visit for a few hours or to stay for the entire weekend. Free primitive camping is available, and there are sanitary facilities on site, but the club has a strict carry in, carry out trash policy.
Fire rings are set up in approved areas and firewood will be available. The Primitive Gathering is designed as a family and child friendly event, so no alcohol or chemicals are allowed. Youth 12 and under receive free admission.
All children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
“The kids love the idea of building their own bow and arrow and shooting it,” West said. “We have a blacksmith there who has his own forge, and he shows the kids how to melt metal and make things with it.”
The gathering seems to be especially popular among folks who embrace the idea of living in the woods and doing things the old-fashioned way.
“There’s a group of people in their 20s to 40s that seem to be part of the back to nature movement,” West said. “They have set up homesteads, grow their own critters, grow their own food.”
However, the weekend event also caters to a generation of Mainers, like West, who grew up without a lot of modern conveniences and would like to get a taste of the way life used to be.
Meals, snacks and beverages will be available for purchase from a staffed kitchen during event hours. Breakfast will be provided both Saturday and Sunday mornings, with donations accepted, while lunches will be available Saturday and Sunday. Saturday evening will feature a potluck supper.
The Pleasant River Fish & Game Conservation Association strives to make the Puckerbrush Primitive Gathering affordable. General admission for the entire weekend is $25 per person, which includes camping.
Day passes are $5 on Friday, July 14, $15 on Saturday, July 15, and $10 on Sunday, July 16.
Several of the organization’s more than 250 members are among the demonstrators and instructors, while other folks come in from outside Maine.
Other activities scheduled for the gathering are knife making, traditional canoe construction, knots and ropework, buckskin preparation, natural cordage, axes and ax safety, knife and ax throwing, pottery, canoe poling and cast-iron cooking.
Maine game wardens will provide a session on Saturday afternoon about how to avoid getting lost in the woods, and what to do if that does happen. There also will be a basket weaving booth along with an animal tracking demonstration by Vance Pineo and his dog Copper.
West said the demonstrators and presenters who attend the gathering to show off their particular skills.
“Most of the people demonstrating are very passionate about what they do,” West said. “There’s so much fun going on.”
For more information, contact Larry Balchen at [email protected] or visit the event website.
