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Every year in May, the town of Damascus in southwestern Virginia turns into a hiker's Mecca, as Appalachian Trail lovers gather to celebrate America's best known footpath.

AT hikers, former hikers, aspiring hikers and families looking for a festival atmosphere converge there each year for the camaraderie, music, children's games, a parade, hikers' talent show, bike rides, hikes and workshops.

Damascus is an appropriate setting for the event, because not only is it roughly the halfway point on the Maine-to-Georgia trail, it also is the only town the trail runs directly through. The sidewalk on Main Street in Damascus actually is part of the AT.

This year, the town officially throws out the welcome mat May 16-18, but festival goers often gather days earlier. The first activities of Trail Days start Tuesday. Information: www.traildays.us.

Calendar

Tomorrow: The Piedmont Division of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League will visit Lake Gaston in Bracy for the third of five regular-season events. As many as 200 boaters and 200 coanglers are expected to compete in the tournament, which will award as much as $45,000, including a top award of $6,000 in the boater division. Anglers may register for the tournament online at FLWOutdoors.com or by calling (270) 252-1000. Onsite registration will be held today from 4-7 p.m. at the Wal-Mart store at 315 Furr St. in South Hill. Entry fees are $200 for boaters and $100 for coanglers. Americamps Lake Gaston in Bracy will host the takeoff and weigh-in at 6 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.

May 16-18: Rick Smith, the guru of bird dog training, and now a Crozier resident, will hold a beginner-level seminar in Orange for people looking to train their pointing or flushing breed dog. The seminar will be hosted by Dave Pomfret in conjunction with Loughran-Field Kennels at Oakland Plantation. Information: Dave Pomfret (540) 229-8045 or visit www.huntsmith.com and click on "Seminars."

May 30-31: Pirate's Cove Big Game Tournaments and the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center invite anglers to kick off the offshore tournament season at the third annual Oregon Inlet Tuna Roundup. Registration will be held May 29. Boat slips are limited, so anglers are encouraged to register early. Information: www.pcbgt.com or (252) 473-1015.

Seasons

Now-May 17: Spring gobbler season (bearded turkeys only) is open one half-hour before sunrise and lasts until sunset each day. The bag limit is one per day. Hunters may take one, two or three bearded turkeys depending on how many were taken in the fall season.

Continuous: Open season on coyote, groundhog, striped skunk and nutria (trapping only). - Andy Thompson