Two programs designed to promote family fishing are being sponsored by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission during the Labor Day weekend.

A series of six Family Fishing Festivals will be held Saturday, Sept. 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Labor Day, Monday Sept. 5, is the year's second and final "Fish-for-Free Day," which allows resident or non-resident anglers to legally fish without a fishing license on all Pennsylvania waters. All other fishing regulations still apply."Family Fishing Festivals are free educational events designed for families with little or no fishing experience," PFBC manager of Education and Outreach Carl Richardson said. "Participating families will learn basic fishing skills and have an opportunity to practice those skills while fishing together during the program."One festival will be held in each PFBC region, in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of State Parks. Locations are: NW Region: Pymatuning State Park, Linesville, Crawford County; SW Region: Raccoon Creek State Park, Hookstown, Beaver County; NC Region: Hills Creek State Park, Wellsboro, Tioga County; SC Region: Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Gardners, Cumberland County; NE Region: Frances Slocum State Park, Wyoming, Luzerne County; SE Region: Marsh Creek State Park, Downingtown, Chester County.A fishing license is not needed for registered festival participants 16 and older, and while the program is open to all ages, it is designed for children ages 5 and older. All equipment, including bait and tackle, will be provided.Space is limited at the event, so preregistration is required by Wednesday, Aug. 31, and there will be no registration the event. For information and registration, access the PFBC website at

www.fishandboat.com/fishforfree.htm.**********The "Lehigh Valley Hunting and Fishing Extravaganza" will be held today and Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, at Kempton Fairgrounds, Kempton. For information, access the website at

www.lvhfe.com.**********The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Art Show and Sale will be held today, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the visitor center. For information, call the sanctuary at 610-756-6961 or visit the website at

www.hawkmountain.org.**********Bears Head Archery, Delano, located one mile off Exit 134, Interstate 81, has its 3-D course open daily to the public from dawn to dusk through Saturday, Oct. 15. Donations are accepted, and for information, contact Frank Blazusky at 570-467-0331 or

docblazer@verizon.net.**********This week's edition of "Experience The Outdoors," hosted by award-winning Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association member Doyle Dietz, Sunday, at 7 a.m. on 1410 WLSH and 9:30 a.m. on Magic 105.5, will feature Pennsylvania Bowhunters Festival promoter Sherwood Schock.**********A trap shoot will be held, Thursday, Sept. 1, beginning at 6 p.m., at Orwigsburg Gun Club, Gun Club Road, off Route 443 East, Orwigsburg. For information, e-mail

jafone@comcast.net.**********A muzzleloader shoot and rendezvous with pre-1840 primitive and modern camping will be held, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 3 and 4, beginning at 9 a.m., with gates opening Friday, Sept. 2, at noon, by Blue Ridge Rifles Muzzleloader Club, Coon Club Road, off Route 183, south of Summit Station. Matches will be held for rifle, smoothbore and pistol, and there is no charge for juniors 16 and younger. For information, call Nancy Newton at (570) 429-1188, days; (570) 628-0576, evenings; or Betty Dietz at (570) 366-1764.**********Tuscarora and Locust Lake State Park, Barnesville, is holding the following events for Labor Day weekend: Saturday, Sept. 3 Lake View Trail Hike, 1-4 p.m., with naturalist Robin Tracey, Tuscarora State Park; Star Party, 8 p.m., Locust Lake Amphitheatre with members of the Hazleton Area Astronomical Society.Sunday, Sept. 4 Spirit Trail Hike, 1-4 p.m., with conservation volunteer "Pap" Knauss, Tuscarora State Park; Creature Feature, 6-8 p.m., with Tri-Valley biology teacher Pam Ulicny, Locust Lake Amphitheatre.**********A series of basic kayaking courses for those 12 years of age and older will be held at Tuscarora State Park, Barnesville, and kayaks, paddles and personal flotation devices are available for those without their own equipment and preregistration is required by signing up at the park office prior to the event or by calling 570-467-2506. Classes will be held Sunday, Sept. 4, 3 p.m.: Friday, Sept. 9, 4 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 15, 4 p.m.; Wednesday, Sept. 21, 4 p.m.**********This year's Schuylkill County Sportsmen's Asociation Banquet will be held, Saturday, Sept. 10, beginning at 5 p.m., at the Community Fire Company, Landingville. For information, call Ron Blew at 570-943-2900.**********This year's "Pennsylvania Bowhunters Festival" will be held, Friday-Sunday, Sept. 16-18, at Sullivan County Fairgrounds, Forksville. For information, access the website at

www.pabowhunters.com or call Bill Feese at 570-525-3635.**********This year's Schuylkill County Friends of NRA Banquet will be held, Thursday, Oct. 6, beginning at 5 p.m., at St. Nicholas Hall, Minersville. For tickets and information, call Mike McCord at 570-628-1382, Gary Reibsane at 717-647-4314 or Harry Meyers at 570-691-7564.