Each year, a traveling road show descends on a Maine community, and hundreds of onlookers drop by to (get this) listen attentively as assorted legislators, wardens and Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife staffers read a couple thousand names aloud.

Sounds boring? Well, you obviously haven’t been to the annual moose-permit lottery.

The mood – especially at the beginning – is reminiscent of Christmas morning, with anticipation mounting as prospective hunters wait to find out if this is their lucky year.

Add in some friendly and often familiar faces, and the lottery can sometimes seem a bit like a family reunion. Toss in piles of tasty chow, and you’ve got the makings of a top-notch party.

This year’s event will be held Thursday at the Kittery Trading Post. The name-calling (oops … name-reading) will begin at 6 p.m.

Shortly after that, you’ll be able to check for your name on the DIF&W Web site, www.mefishwildlife.com. And the next morning, you’ll be able to peruse the entire list in your morning copy of the Bangor Daily News.

This year, there are plenty of other reasons to head to the lottery, and plenty of other reasons to show up very early.

The KTP is pulling out all the stops for this year’s lottery, and has provided several hours’ worth of entertainment for those who attend.

The day’s festivities will begin at 3 p.m., with all kinds of activities and promotions.

Here’s some of what you can expect to find:

. The first 250 people who enter the moose lottery tent will receive a free Nikon giveaway.

. Blue Train will play its honky-tonk mix of country and rock ‘n’ roll music from 4-6 p.m.

. Kids can take a ride down the giant saber-toothed tiger slide, which is billed as the nation’s largest inflatable slide, from 3-7 p.m.

. Meat samplings from The Meat House are available from 4-8 p.m.

. Nate Fenderson of Northwoods Adventure TV will offer a seminar on trophy moose tactics beginning at 4:30 p.m.

. Samples will be available from Cue Culture, Mad Gabs Moose Lip Balm and Suzi Poo Moose Cookies.

. An Arctic Cat and Polaris ATV display by Rochester Sports Center will feature a chance to win a Mossy Oak ATV helmet.

. Kate Krukoswki Gooding will be on hand to sign her book, Black Fly Stew: Wild Maine Recipes.

. An airing of “Answering the Call,” a DVD featuring guides and hunters of the Wildlife Interactive team pursuing moose in the wilds of Maine.

. Coleman will have a display of outdoor products.

. Peter Brown of Extreme Dimensions Wildlife Calls of Hampden will demonstrate his electronic calls.

I’ve been to several moose lotteries over the past few years, and each has been enjoyable in its own way.

And each year, organizers seem to make an effort to top the lottery held at past venues.

This year’s lottery promises to follow that trend, and make the afternoon and evening an enjoyable affair.

Ken Fest 08 worth considering

On many mornings, I enthusiastically share information about outdoor-oriented events I think you might enjoy.

This morning, I’d like to tell you about an event that is a bit more serious, but just as worthwhile.

I recently received word that Ken Bailey of Camden, a longtime outdoor writer who has worked for Courier Publications and the Village Soup, has cancer.

His friends, neighbors and colleagues have banded together to plan a fund-raising party in his honor, which they’re calling Ken Fest 08.

Bailey has been a tireless steward of the environment, and truly loves the outdoor activities that he’s been able to enjoy in Maine.

It seems to me that people who share Bailey’s passion for the outdoors – whether they’ve actually met the man in person or not – might want to head to Ken Fest to show support for a man one colleague told me is “just a kind, kind man.”

Ken Fest 08 will take place July 13 at the Camden Snow Bowl. A donation of $10 for individuals and $20 for families is suggested.

Dinner will be served from 1-3:30 p.m., while a live auction and silent auction will be held at 4 p.m.

The event is potluck, BYOB, and advance donations can be made out to Ken and Sandra Bailey and sent to Key Bank, Attn: Ken Fest 08, 141 Elm Street, Camden, ME 04843.

If you want a bit more information, you can find it on the Village Soup Web site at www.villagesoup.com/kenfest.

GLS death a reminder

On Monday, a 62-year-old retired firefighter from Massachusetts died while fishing at one of my favorite spots, Grand Lake Stream.

According to a DIF&W press release, Chester Aniolowski and his fishing buddy had fished the hatchery pool at GLS every year since 1982.

The press release did not say whether Aniolowski had suffered a medical emergency, or whether the death was an accidental drowning.

Either way, the tragic death can serve as a reminder to all of us as we head afield or onto the water this weekend.

None of us intend to have a mishap. None of us plans to make a costly mis-step, or to have a medical problem crop up while we’re on or near the water.

But those things do happen, and preparing as well as possible can make all the difference in the world.

While fishing is often a solitary sport, fishing with a buddy is often safer than heading out alone.

By all accounts, Aniolowski’s friend did all he could to save the fisherman, and was not able to do so.

At least there was someone there to help.

Often we fishermen – especially those of us who wade into moving water – make risky choices for a simple reason: We want to get to another, presumably better, piece of water.

At the time, the true risk we’re taking may not be apparent. After all, what’s one more step, in the grand scheme of things?

Sometimes, one more step is all that stands between us and real danger.

All of us misread or ignore those risks from time to time, and we’re seldom penalized for our choices.

But we could be.

So as you head out this weekend, do yourself, and your loved ones, a favor.

Be careful.

The water’s still chilly. If you’re in a boat, wear a life jacket.

If you’re wading, use a staff, and find a buddy to share the day with.

At the very least, take a minute to recognize the hazards that may exist.

Because no matter how good that piece of water looks, and how many fish it might hold, one fact remains: No fish is worth risking your life over … whether you realize the magnitude of the risk you’re taking or not.

jholyoke@bangordailynews.net

990-8214