ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – This weekend, thousands of outdoorsmen and women are in Escanaba for an annual gathering.
The 2026 U.P. Trappers Convention kicked off Friday morning at the U.P. State Fairgrounds.
“We’ve got two great days of fun coming up,” said convention coordinator and U.P. Trappers Association secretary Mary Theoret. “We’ve got awesome can raffles this year of items for people to come and have a chance of winning. We’ve got nine full demos in the demo building, tons of vendors on the whole grounds, and tailgaters. We’re going to have beautiful weather, so there’s fun for everybody this weekend.”
That includes kids and families. If they visit the Kids Cave, they can build mink boxes, dive into a hay scramble, pan for gold, participate in a trap-setting contest, and learn all about the American tradition of trapping.
“We need them to learn about why it is necessary to trap,” Theoret said. “Just exposing them to anything outdoors is really good, just to get them outside and enjoying everything.”
Attendees can also meet this year’s special guests, Heimo and Edna Korth of The Last Alaskans.
“We’re happy to do it,” said Heimo. “This is the second time here. The first time was three years ago. We liked it a lot, so then we decided to come down again. Maybe we’ll come down another time, we’ll see!”
Edna laughed, “I’ve got only one problem—it’s too hot!”
The Korths say Upper Peninsula trappers love to hear about what it’s like in Alaska.
“A lot of people have always wanted to live like us but never did,” Heimo said. “I guess they want to meet somebody that does live like they wanted to live but couldn’t. It makes their day, which makes my day too, you know? It’s nice.”
“When they—especially little kids—come, I like to say, ‘Good for you,'” said Edna. “I’m glad they are really doing this instead of sitting around playing their phones.”
Whether an attendee is an experienced trapper or learning a new skill, Theoret says the convention offers something for every type of outdoorsman.
“If you look around you and see all the smiling faces, all the hard work is worth it,” she said. “We’ve got great volunteers; it wouldn’t be possible without them. Come out and join in the fun!”
The U.P. Trappers Convention continues on Saturday, July 11, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 at the gate, and kids 12 and under get in free. To see the full schedule of activities, visit uptrappers.com.
