Harvestfest Sept. 18

To the Editor:

What do delicious Maine baked potatoes, mouth-watering chowders, chainsaw carving, local music, free horse-drawn wagon rides, fly-tying and casting, historical barn tours, apple picking, and arts and crafts have in common? They are all facets in the gem of the 13th Annual Bethel Harvestfest & Chowdah Cookoff to take place on Saturday, Sept. 18^, and sponsored by Frito Lay, Allen’s Coffee Brandy, Oxford Networks, Stephens Memorial Hospital/Maine Health, Sysco Foodservices, Kraft Foods, Maine Street Realty & Rentals, and Gleason Media Group.

The Chowdah Cookoff is a very popular draw to the event – as the public has the privilege of tasting up to a dozen or more delicious chowders produced by the local restaurants – and they also help to judge the “People’s Choice” award recipient. Tickets will go on sale at 11 a.m. with the chowder being served at noon – until gone! Home chefs are invited into the competition and an award will be given to the top Judge’s Choice in this category. Professional and home bakers are invited to enter the Apple Pie Contest. Traditional and non-traditional apple pies will be judged and a gift certificate for the Good Food Store will go to the judge’s choices.

Delicious Maine baked potatoes will be served hot out of the oven – loaded with lots of toppings! Hot dogs and hamburgs will also be available.

The area will be adorned in the harvest spirit with cornstalks, ribbons, pumpkins and scarecrows. Driving around to check them all out can be lots of fun – the theme is “Four Seasons of Fun in Bethel, Maine.”

The entire weekend is filled with events for all to enjoy. The Bethel Historical Society, the Upper Andro Anglers Alliance and many of our area businesses have something to offer.

For a full calendar of events, check out www.bethelhearvestfest.com. See you there!

Robin Zinchuk

Executive Director, Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce