Harvestfest, cook-off is scheduled

BETHEL — What do delicious Maine baked potatoes, mouth-watering chowders and apple pie, musical entertainment including the 2012 Maine’s Got Talent champion, Max Ater of Bath, free horse-drawn wagon rides, chainsaw sculpting and fly casting demonstrations, locally grown foods, historical exhibits and book signing, apple picking, and arts and crafts have in common?

It’s all – and more – at the 15th Annual Bethel Harvestfest & Chowdah Cook-off on Saturday, September 15, presented by Hancock Lumber.

Everyone loves the Chowdah Cook-off, sponsored by Sysco Foodservices and Oakhurst Dairy. It features more than a dozen area restaurants and their best chowders available for the public to taste and judge. 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 judges’ choices. Delicious locally grown potatoes will be served hot out of the oven – loaded with toppings! Hot dogs and hamburgers will also be available.

The area will be adorned in the harvest spirit with cornstalks, ribbons, pumpkins and scarecrows! Drive around and check them all out – the theme is “Celebrating the Olympic Spirit!”

The entire weekend is filled with events for all to enjoy. The Bethel Historical Society, the Upper Andro Anglers Alliance, and many area businesses have something to offer. For a full calendar of events, see www.bethelharvestfest.com. Additional event support is provided by Oxford Networks, Allen’s Coffee Brandy, Pepsi Beverages Co., Mahoosuc Realty & Rentals, Atlantic Tent Company and Dunkin’ Donuts.