U.P. State Fairgrounds to host trappers convention

For the first time in over 40 years, the National Trappers Association’s annual convention will be held at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba.

Events and vendor stations are being set up early in the week, and the four-day convention kicks off Thursday. It will feature several events including individual demonstrations that show how to trap specific animals on different terrains.

The convention one of the largest gatherings of trappers in the world and will offer a great boon to the city’s economy.

“Oh, there’ll be thousands of people converged here,” NTA director of national and international affairs Dave Linkhart said. “Some of them will come early; they’ll spend a week’s vacation doing some fishing, some biking, boating, whatever it might be. [It’s a] tremendous impact to the local economy. All these people are going to come here, they’re going to spend some time, they’re going to spend some money as well.”

Other activities include wild fur fashion shows, a fundraising auction and trap-setting contests. There will be a large tailgating area and vendors will be offering trapping and non trapping related items alike.

The convention is open to the public, and the cost is only $10 for the whole weekend.