Perhaps your old, reliable fishing boat has seen better days. Maybe you’re just looking to upgrade to a new, larger fishing or recreating platform.

Or maybe you just want to dream a bit.

Whatever your mood, organizers of the 18th annual Bangor Boating and Marine Expo have put together a show you won’t want to miss.

The show, which runs from March 21-23, will be held at the Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center.

Featured will be a full array of 2003 models, from the smallest pram to full-scale cabin cruisers.

Factory representatives will be on hand to answer questions, and many prizes will be given away.

Sportsmen can make a day of it, too: If they head to Bangor for the Boating and Marine Expo, they can also plan to make a 12-mile trip up to Orono and take in the Eastern Maine Sportsman’s Show on the same day.

Admission for the boat show is $4, but senior citizens can get in for $3 on Friday. Children under 12 will get in free when accompanied by an adult.

The show’s hours: Friday from 4-9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Presque Isle show on tap

‘Tis the season for trade shows, and an active outdoorsman could spend three straight weekends attending interesting events without ever leaving the state.

The Eastern Maine Sportsman’s Show will be held in Orono March 21-23. The State of Maine Sportsman’s Show is set for Augusta March 28-30.

And up in Presque Isle, the Presque Isle Fish & Game Club’s Sportsman’s Show will be staged April 5-6.

The Presque Isle show will be held at Weiden Hall at the University of Maine-Presque Isle.

The show includes stage events on outdoor topics, as well as art and taxidermy displays.

Proceeds from the show are used to send Aroostook County boys and girls to the Maine Conservation School.

Ancient Ones plan show

Anyone interested in primitive weapons may want to take note of an upcoming event: The Ancient Ones Living History Club will hold its seventh annual Black Powder/History Outdoor Sports Show March 29-30.

The show, which is being staged at the same time as the popular State of Maine Sportsman’s Show, will be held at the American Legion Hall on Route 17 in Augusta.

Demonstrations include knife and tomahawk throwing and fire-starting with flint and steel; other displays will cover black powder gun making, blacksmiths, custom leather goods, handmade knives, and guide services.

The cost is $3 per person, with everyone under 18 getting in free. Breakfast and lunch will be served (organizers suggest sampling Nit Wit’s “famous chili”).

Field & Stream holds contest

Young outdoors enthusiasts with a story to tell and a knack for writing may want to consider entering a national contest.

Field & Stream magazine’s third annual Young Writers Contest will be announced in the April issue, and is open to girls and boys ages 13-18.

The contest is designed to help young writers practice their craft and explore the larger role of outdoor sports.

This year’s subject: “Why I hunt or fish.”

Entries should be less than 1,000 words. The winner will have his or her essay published in the February 2004 issue and will receive a $1,000 prize.

Entrants can not be older than 18 on Sept. 1, 2003. Essays will be evaluated on creativity, presentation, and marketability.

For more information on the contest, visit the magazine’s Web site at www.fieldandstream.com.

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092 or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, Maine, 04402-1329.