BANGOR – The Penobscot County Friends of NRA will hold their fifth annual banquet and auction at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 8, at the Bangor Conference Center on Hogan Road.

Funds raised at the auction will be used to support shooter development projects, including youth education, firearms training programs, hunter safety classes and conservation projects. Half of the funds raised stay in Maine and the other half supports national education programs of the NRA Foundation.

Funds raised at past banquets in Maine were used to purchase rifles and equipment for junior small-bore rifle teams, to purchase mobile skeets launchers and to provide shotgun instruction for Boy Scout troops. The Penobscot County Friends of NRA also have helped fund several conservation camperships for local youngsters.

Each year the NRA has available at auction a gun of the year and a print of the year. This year’s gun is a Remington model 572 BDL Deluxe Fieldmaster .22 caliber rifle made exclusively for Friends of NRA. The rifle is capable of handling .22 short, .22 long and .22 long rifle cartridges. Other features include big game sights, positive cross-bolt safety and a walnut stock.

This year’s print, “Autumn Foliage” by Daniel Smith, features a white-tailed deer and gives a glimpse of fall. It was painted exclusively for Friends of NRA and is signed and numbered by the artist.

Twelve other firearms, many wildlife prints, jewelry and sculpture will be available for live auction, silent auction, raffles and gaming activities. NRA merchandise and donations from local community sponsors also will be available.

Tickets for the event must be purchased in advance. They will not be for sale at the door. To obtain more information or to donate an item to the auction, call Charlie Rumsey, 941-8575; Joe Savoy, 947-1470; or Tony Richard, 827-3440.