We’ve already had at least three mud seasons since the powerful wind and rain storm we endured in mid-December.
Mud season is usually a sure sign of spring, but the up and down temperatures and the rain, snow, then rain again precipitation has us all confused. Spring or not spring? Winter or not winter?
And what does the calendar say again?
I have decided the true rite of spring this year is the sportsmen’s shows scheduled around the state, not mud season.
The first one is this weekend Feb. 24 and 25, at the Brewer Auditorium. It is aptly named the Cabin Fever Reliever and is put on by the Penobscot Fly Fishers. Admission is free, and the hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
There will be things to see and buy, and people to talk to about various topics and special programs for youths, such as archery and fly tying. There also will be a silent auction, door prizes and speakers.
The next one will be the Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show to be held March 15-17, at the University of Maine Field House, Memorial Gymnasium and Wallace Pool in Orono. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Friday until 8:30 p.m. The rest of the weekend’s hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 16, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 17.
The event is put on by the Penobscot County Conservation Association, and provides scholarships for students in wildlife and ecology conservation at UMaine, and conservation law students at Husson University, plus youth and young adult outdoor education, according to the conservation association.
The Presque Isle Fish and Game Club’s Spring Sportsman’s Show was moved to a larger venue this year because the event is growing. It will be held March 23 and 24, at The Forum, rather than at the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Gentile Hall.
The hours will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The event will raise money for youth programs including summer camp scholarships. Special attractions will include a trout fishing pond for kids, air rifle shooting range and skeet/trap and hunting simulators.
The Kora Sportsmen Expo will be held April 12-14, at the Kora Shrine Temple in Lewiston. Hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There will be vendors, demonstrations and education sessions. Admittance to the event is free, but tickets to see comedian Juston McKinney will cost $27.50 for his 8 p.m. show on Saturday.
The largest show will be the last one in the lineup. The 42nd annual State of Maine Sportsman’s Show will be held April 19-21, at the Augusta Civic Center, sponsored by The Maine Sportsman and the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine. Hours will be from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
It will include the State of Maine’s Surplus Firearms Auction, a youth turkey calling contest, vendors, recreation groups, talks, food, organizations that give opportunities to kids, sport camps, guides and representatives of so many outdoors interests.
BDN will have booths at the Cabin Fever Reliever, the Eastern Maine Sportsman’s Show and the Maine Sportsman’s Show. Come visit me and talk for a spell. You also will find me on the speaker list at a couple of them.
I hope you help me bring in spring.
