Most years, the Cabin Fever Reliever outdoor show delivers as advertised: It provides a bit of respite after a long Maine winter.
This year, after the Winter That Wasn’t (at least, thus far), we may not need as much relief from the elements. Still, there will be plenty to see and plenty to do at the nicest little outdoor expo you’re going to find (at least, the nicest one you’ll find between Orrington and Eddington).
The Penobscot Fly Fishers stage the annual event, which will be held at the Brewer Auditorium on Saturday (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m.-3 p.m.).
As always, admission is free.
With a small venue and a limited number of booths, the Cabin Fever Reliever is a friendly expo where visitors can take their time chatting with exhibitors. Organizers have made it clear that “selling” is not the point of the show. “Teaching” is. Exhibits are generally educational, and often offer hands-on opportunities for adults and kids alike.
About 50 exhibitors are listed on the Penobscot Fly Fishers website for this year’s show. If fly-tying is your thing, there will be plenty of opportunity to talk to some of the area’s top tiers. If you’re more into hiking or paddling, you’ll find what you’re looking for. If you’re considering a trip down the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, or want to learn more about the Penobscot River Restoration Project, you’ll find that, too.
And if you want to sign up for the BDN’s annual “Win a Drift Boat Trip” contest? Well, we’d love for you to stop by our booth, where you can sign up for free.
Those of us at BDN Outdoors are eagerly awaiting the show. I’ll be on hand, as will our resident hiker and videographer, Aislinn Sarnacki, who produces (and stars in) the popular “One-Minute Hike” videos that appear on our website. Our boss, BDN Living editor Aimee Thibodeau, will also be on hand to chat with attendees. If you like what we’re doing, tell her. If you have suggestions for new content that you’d like to see, she’d love to hear what you have in mind.
What else will you find at our booth? Well, we’re returning with the popular outdoor slide show that we unveiled last year. That show features stunning photographs that our staff photographers have captured over the past 60 years or so. Some feature outdoor icons. Others focus on the critters who share the Maine woods with us. Still others take you to some of the state’s special places.
In addition, Aislinn is compiling a loop of her One-Minute Hikes, and we’ll be showing that video package throughout the show.
And then there’s the contest: For the first time, you’ll be able to sign up for the fishing trip with guide Dan Legere — owner of the Maine Guide Fly Shop in Greenville — at the Cabin Fever Reliever.
So make a point to stop by and say “Hi,” even if you don’t really need any relief from your cabin fever. We’d love to meet you, tell you what we’re doing, and (most importantly) listen to your suggestions.
