Loggers Can Compete At Fair For Money, Saw

Preparations are under way for the annual Ripley County Fair, to be held Aug. 2-5.

Probably one of the most popular competitions at the fair will be the logger’s events, which will offer a chance for loggers and sawmill crews to pit their skills in the fairground arena to win money and prizes. In the past, those have been valued at upwards of $4,000.

The heat begins at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 2 with the community cut competition. Those who want to compete must register at the fairgrounds arena, for a fee of $5 just before the contest.

Each sawyer will be allowed one cut, and the individual with the fastest time will win a new saw donated by Rob and Calista Cates of Lynx Saw Shop.

Immediately following will be the action-packed logger’s relay race, with two lanes and four demonstrations to be completed by teams of five or six loggers.

Registration for the relay event is $25.

The first of the demonstrations will be a simple speed cut.

Moving on, teams will advance to the log walk, which will involve the use of a choke and roll maneuver.

Next, two team members will attempt to work together using hooks to roll a log to a posted area and back.

The final battle has two loggers meeting at each end of a crosscut saw.

Judges will drop a flag to indicate the completion of each phase. The fastest overall time at the completion of all four phases of the competition will be the declared winner.

First, second and third prizes will be awarded.

For more information, contact fair board president Warren Bland at 996-6060.