Competitive loggers from around the globe will converge in 麻豆社国产this week for the 56th annual 麻豆社国产Days Logger Sports.
The unique athletes will gather at the Al McIntosh Loggers Sports Grounds to chop, climb, cut and buck their way to thousands of dollars in prize money from Thursday to Monday (Aug. 1 to 5). Along with the World Class Open Logger Sports Show, presented by 麻豆社国产Mills, the community festival has something for everyone. Spectators can also check out a parade, wacky bed races, a dance, a 10-kilometre run, a pancake breakfast, children's sports, On the Farm Campfire Showdown and much more.
The 麻豆社国产Logger Sports Festival showcases Squamish's rich heritage as well the community's vibrant spirit. Many of the events are free so it's a great option for families.
"Every year we try and step it up a bit. We literally have competitors coming from around the world this year," said Bryan Couture, 麻豆社国产Days president. "There are guys coming out of Denmark, Australia and New Zealand just for this event."
The calibre of the Logger Sports shows has sparked attention from a major cable sports broadcaster. The Sports Network (TSN) will be in 麻豆社国产to film the competition on Aug. 4 and will air 30-minute segments on several occasions after.
"There will be a lot of cameras taking in the action. We are hoping to fill the stands to show everyone that 麻豆社国产is where it all happens," Couture said.
The festival started informally more than 50 years ago with a bunch of loggers hankering for some friendly competition. Couture said rules and regulations were eventually added for different events and the informal logging competition eventually took on a life of its own.
"I bet you any money that a lot of those guys wouldn't have guessed it would go on this long. It's become a family tradition for many of those loggers. Over the years we've also had such a great committee that you can't really go wrong," Couture said.
According to Couture, the 麻豆社国产Days Logger Sports Festival is one of a kind, from the volunteers to the stunning Al McIntosh Logger Sports Grounds.
"There is not a show grounds like ours in the world. No one has the seating capacity like ours and the manicured lawns to compete on," Couture said. "Competitors love it too because we have two timers on them all of the time. Competitors judge themselves by this event, which makes us proud of what we do."
Part of that pride comes from an army of volunteers. At the grounds alone, 250 volunteers make sure the festival runs smoothly. Couture said the amount of volunteers and their dedication is humbling.
"We just wish everyone a great weekend. The support we receive from the community is staggering from service clubs to individual community members," Couture said.
If you haven't checked out Loggers Sports before, Couture recommends attending the power saw tree falling event, which is unique to the 麻豆社国产festival. The event features 20 trees that are more than 40 feet high and starts with loggers running to the trees before a mad fury of chopping and sawing begins.
"All 20 trees go down at once and when they hit the ground, you can feel it in the stands. It gets the crowd going," Couture said.
On Saturday (Aug. 3), the Novice and Intermediate Loggers Sports Show will feature greenhorn and up-and-coming competitors testing their skills. The show, sponsored by Sqomish Forestry, gets underway at 1:30 p.m. at the Al McIntosh Loggers Sports Grounds.
This year's 麻豆社国产Logger Sports Festival promises to be something out of the ordinary for residents and visitors alike. Visit the 麻豆社国产Days website at www.squamishdays.org for a complete list of the weekend's events. Follow the 麻豆社国产Days Twitter feed at twitter.com/squamishdays for the most up-to-date information.
