Belgrade Schedules Two Unique Traditions

On Saturday, August 2, Belgrade Lakes will be the site of two very unique and endearing traditions -- Bean Hole Beans and Loon Calling.

Bean Hole Beans date to the state's history of logging camps and river runs, when the lumberjacks ate heartily and the cookees kept these human "skidders" fueled. Baked beans were a rich staple of the camp diet -- along with generous helpings of game meats, breads and biscuits, and pies. As men followed logs during the spring river drives, piping hot beans heavy with molasses, brown sugar or maple syrup and salt pork revived the cold, wet and overworked drivers and other laborers at the end of each day -- and probably accounted for a large part of the following morning's breakfast fare, too.

This tradition was made possible because the cooking crews traveled ahead, uncovering holes near the riverside that had been dug in times immemorial, banked them with red hot coals, and buried the beans overnight in cast iron crocks to bake for the next 24 hours. In the Belgrades, the annual Bean Hole Bean Supper dates to the 1960s when the Chamber of Commerce needed funds for their recreation program. When the Chamber's sponsorship wound down, the Belgrade Fire Department came to the rescue.

The Bean Hole Bean supper menu on Saturday night will include three types of "secret recipe" beans slowly baked underground overnight, hot dogs, cole slaw, brown bread, rolls, and a beverage. The supper will be served from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Belgrade Community Center for All seasons on Route 27 south of Belgrade Lakes and music will be provided by the Gawler Family.

Following the supper, Belgrade's very popular Loon Calling Contest, sponsored by Castle Island Camps, will take place at The Landing on the Rome side of the Belgrade Stream. Callers can sign up there starting at 6:45 p.m. for the three categories: adult, children under age ten, and ages 10 to 15.

At 7:15 p.m., contestants can try their luck with one or all of the four loon calls: the wail, the yodel, the tremolo, or the hoot. In each age category first, second and third prizes will be awarded, as well as ribbons for all who enter. Everyone is welcome to join this unique contest . . . or to watch and applaud those who do. It's a true Belgrade tradition.