HONESDALE (June 19, 2018) – Since the early 1980s, the Wayne Conservation District has provided a public forum for the men – and women – of the timber harvesting industry to strut their stuff by organizing the annual Woodsmen’s Competition at the Wayne County Fair.
Now in its 35th year, the event features three classes of chain sawing, in which competitors make three complete cuts in the provided logs and the fastest time wins the prize money. All saws must have factory safety equipment and no engine modifications. Saws are inspected prior to the event.
The competitors will also attack the logs with bow saws, and two person crosscut saws, including a co-ed version called the Jack & Jill. Other competitions involve the use of axes to chop a block in half and some even compete for points by throwing axes at a target. In the Log Rolling event, a two-person team rolls a 12- to 14-inch log the designated distance using their own peaves or cant hooks.
They really show off their skills in the Tree Felling competitions, where they are judged on accuracy among other things. There are two categories of tree felling -- the Skill category requires competitors to have completed the Game of Logging Training levels 1 and 2. The Chain Saw Tree Felling is open to all comers.
There is no limit to the number of events each participant can compete in. The only exception is the tree felling; competitors must choose one. Otherwise sign up for as many as you wan and choose three to earn points toward the Grand Championship.
Competitors can start signing up online, says Forestry Specialist Kelley Stewart, and each receives an event T-shirt. There is a $10 fee for the first event and $5 for each additional event, and prize money will awarded for each event: $100 for first place; $75 for second and $50 for third with twice that for in the doubles events.
To learn more about the event, to be held in front of the grandstand at the Wayne County Fair on Saturday, Aug. 4, starting at 2 pm, contact Stewart at 570-253-0930. There is no registration by phone, but the form is available online.