Katie Dahlstrom, Clinton Herald, Iowa –
CLINTON — Nearly 40 professional lumberjacks are traveling from across the country — and the world — to compete at the second annual lumberjack festival on the Sawmill Museum grounds at Main Avenue and Grant Street on Saturday.
Lumberjack Festival co-chairwoman Stephanie Brisch said after the first successful festival last year, she’s ready for another.
“I feel pretty good. The lumberjacks had a great time last year. I think it will be a great day,” Brisch said.
Events begin at noon with food vendors, the Jaycees beer tent and children’s activities. Brisch said the children’s activities this year will be more historic kinds of games reminiscent of old times.
The trackless train will also be offering rides for $2 and the sawmill museum will be open throughout the event with the sawmill running every hour. Entrance into the museum will be $4 for adults and $3 for children.
In addition to a chainsaw artist, the Mississippi Valley Woodcarvers will also be featured.
The lumberjack competitions begin at 1 p.m. and continue until 6 p.m.
The event will bring professional lumberjacks from across the U.S. and other countries such as New Zealand, Canada and Australia, to test their skills in a number of challenging feats. Some events include the hot saw competition, which dictates the lumberjack use a modified chainsaw to make three cuts in a log, and the spring board, which entails a competitor using two spring boards to ascend to the top of a nine-foot pole before chopping a twelve-inch diameter block from the top.
“Before, I didn’t really know much about the lumberjack activities, but it’s really exciting,” Brisch said.
According to Brisch, among the world-class lumberjacks who compete will be Rick Halvorson, who has won many hot saw world championships and Nancy Zalewski, who is the current world champion in the single buck, underhand chop and jack and jill sawing.
A street dance concert featuring the Lynn Allen Band will follow the competitions, from 7 to 10 p.m.
Last year the event, which Brisch said is the only one of its kind she could find in Iowa, attracted 2,000 people.
“I was pleased with the turnout and I hope we draw more people this year,” she said.
Tickets are available for pre-sale at the Sawmill Museum, Citizen’s First Bank, Clinton HyVee, Clinton National Bank, Clinton Maid Rite, Turner Electric and Wild Rose Casino for $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Tickets will also be available at the gate where they will be $6 for adults and $4 for children ages 5 to 12. For more information visit thesawmillmuseum.org.
