Rick Friedrich shows a bobcat in New Mexico.

ESCANABA — The annual Trapper’s Convention/Outdoor Expo begins Friday at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time Friday and Saturday, July 13.

During the two days, nine outdoor experts will be taking the stage to give presentations on trapping and hunting. Admission is $10 for both days and kids under 12 are free. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

This family-friendly event draws thousands of attendees each year. Camping on the grounds is also available.

New to the event this year is “The Kids Cave” which will offer activities including: “Bandage a Bear,” “Pan for Gold,” “Build a Mink Box,” “Trapping Demos,” supervised free fishing, archery and others.

“The Expo is a great even,” said Steve Kocsis, a longtime member of U.P. Trappers. “It is great that all the presenters engage their audience with dialogue. They all stress legal, ethical, humane means of setting traps and encourage safety and sportsmanship while in the woods running the line,” he added.

One of the presenters, Rick Friedrich from mid-Missouri, has trapped in many states, including Oklahoma, Kansas, Utah, and New Mexico.

“I am really looking forward to coming to the U.P. Trappers Convention and Outdoor Expo this year and giving a demo on western bobcat trapping,” Friedrich said.

Another special guest is Paul Antczak, an expert trapper from the History Channel’s hit show “Mountain Men.”

For a complete list of presenters, go to https://uptrappers.com/2024-convention-demonstrators/.

The popular Friday Night Fish Fry featuring locally caught fish is back. Contact event director Roy Dahlgren at 906-399-1960 or trapperroy@outlook.com for dinner reservations or any other questions.