Today marks the beginning of the 49th annual Paul Bunyan Show at Hocking College in Nelsonville. This three-day event runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and features everything from chain saw carving, log rolling and pole climbing to a woodcraft tent and a display celebrating Smokey the Bear's 60th anniversary.
The show is the largest live forestry trade show east of the Mississippi and is co-sponsored by Hocking College and the Ohio Forestry Association. It moved from Mansfield and MacArthur, among other places, before finding its home at Hocking College nearly 30 years ago.
There really isn't just one highlight
said Judy Sinnott, public relations director at Hocking College. You've just gotta come and see the show to know what I mean.
The event began as a trade show, geared toward people in the lumberjack and forestry industry. Bob Romig, executive director of the Ohio Forestry Association, said it still serves that purpose.
People in the industry come to see the latest and greatest in forestry equipment and machinery Romig said.
Vendors such as Husqvarna and Stihl sponsor most of the lumberjack competitions throughout the weekend and will have over $40 million worth of equipment on display throughout the weekend.
Sinnott anticipates crowds of nearly 60,000 for the weekend, similar to the turnout for last year's event.
If we have nice weather there will be more
and if it rains
a little less
she said. But while rain might keeps tourists away
it's actually good for those in the industry. They can't work
so they'll come to the show.
According to Sinnott, Friday's events will be for student lumberjacks, while Saturday's competitions will be restricted to Ohio residents only. Sunday features the international competitions, with lumberjacks from countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Wales.
No amateur will ever compete on Sunday
said Sinnott. It's just not worth their while.
In the midst of all the professional competitions, there are also competitions that will be open for public registration, such as the pallet competition at 10 a.m. on Saturday and the women's amateur chain saw competition on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Other features of the show include Robbins Crossing, a living history museum of an early pioneer village from the 1850s era, and multiple exhibits by the Ohio Forestry Association such as an antique chain saw display, two nationally-known arborists and demonstration of how to make maple syrup and selecting and preparing mushrooms.
The Blind Boys of Alabama will perform Saturday beginning at 8 p.m. in the Hocking College Student Center. The Grammy award-winning group performs contemporary gospel and blues. Tickets are $25 per person and $20 for students.
There are plenty of food vendors on site, but Sinnott recommends a Bunyan burger -an eight-ounce burger cooked over an open flame and served on a sesame seed bun, topped with a choice of condiments.
You can't come to the show without enjoying a Bunyan burger
said Sinnott.
