Noah Johnson Daily Press The Annual Trapper’s Convention/Outdoor Expo kicked off Friday and is still going on today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ESCANABA –The Annual Trapper’s Convention/Outdoor Expo kicked off Friday and is continues today at the U.P. State Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for both days and kids under 12 are admitted free. Food and drinks will be available for purchase and 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. Games, prizes, and raffles are scheduled.

Today, there are four outdoor experts performing different demonstrations on trapping and hunting starting at 8:30 a.m.

Friday, vendors hit the ground running, some are staple vendors that come every year while others are brand new to the convention.

Larry Buege has been coming to the convention on and off every year, selling his novels and short stories such as Cold Turkey, Bear Creek, Chogan and the Gray Wolf and more.

“I sell more books here than any other (convention),” Buege said.

Linda Duchene-Beaudre and her husband Dennis Beaudre have been coming to the convention for as long as they can remember, selling handmade rugs, mats, purses and other items.

“We love it, it’s always fun,” she said.

Her booth is affectionally named “Mays Rugs” after her late mother who taught Duchene-Beaudre how to sew by hand.

There are also new vendors this year, such as Carrie Ott who is selling reloading supplies.

“There are a lot of vendors here, it’s so nice,” she said.

Josh Emery is also a first time vendor, representing three different businesses at his booth. Emery had products from JE Leather, Modeltown Firearms and Creations by Trish where guests can purchase leather pieces, firearms, customized tumblers and homemade natural beauty products.

“It’s been amazing so far, business has been great so far,” Emery said.

The fairgrounds are located 2401 12th Avenue North in Escanaba.