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Hope's Chainsaw Carving Competition is back

Event takes over Memorial Park Aug. 16-19
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This sculpture in front of the CIBC branch on Wallace Street was created at the 2010 carving competition in Hope.

Hope’s Chainsaw Carving Competition returns to Memorial Park this week.

Eight world-renown carvers, including local favourite Pete Ryan, will be sculpting seven two-metre (eight-foot) pieces of redwood cedar Aug. 16-19.

“It’s the highest caliber of carvers,” said event organizer Victor Smith.

“It changes every day and develops right in front of you. You’re watching them transform a piece of wood into a piece of art.”

Each carver receives $1,000 for participating in the event this year. An additional $3,000 is awarded to first place, $2,000 to second, and $1,000 to third. A $1,000 crowd pleaser award will also be handed out at the end of the competition.

This year’s judging committee features Nyal Thomas, the organizer of the Sedro-Woolley carving competition in Washington state.

The event runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. A speed carving competition takes place on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with sculptures being auctioned off at 3 p.m.

The carving competition is taking place in conjunction with several other events in downtown Hope this Saturday.

Graeme and Sonia of Owl Street Cafe are hosting a barbecue cook-off from 9 a.m. to noon in Memorial Park. Food will be supplied by Cooper’s, but participants are asked to bring their own cooler filled with ice, gloves and barbecue. Prizes will be awarded to the best apron, best food presentation, and best quality/tasting food. This year’s head judge is Dave Flexhaug. There will also be kids competitions and a watermelon eating contest in the park.

The fourth annual Motorcycle Show & Shine takes over Wallace Street, between Third and Fourth avenues, on Saturday as well.

The event typically attracts about 100 riders from across the province and is open to all motorcycle models, sizes and powers.

“Bikers love to show their rides off,” said show organizer Scott Medlock. “They’re really works of art. The more you look at them, the more you notice. Every bike owner wants to be unique so they really spend a lot of time and money customizing them.”

The Motorcycle Show & Shine is sponsored by the Hope & District Chamber of Commerce, and runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Participating carvers:

• Pete Ryan - Hope, B.C.

• Brigitte Lockhead - Langley, B.C.

• Jerry Strelioff - Campbell River, B.C.

• Ken Sheen - Marguerite, B.C.

• Jeffrey Samudosky - Gig Harbour, Wash.

• Chris Foltz - North Bend, Oregon

• Woojay Poynter - North Bend, Oregon

• Tomas Vrba - Slovakia