Skip to content

The aroma of sawdust and gasoline fills Hope as the Chainsaw Comp continues

After being canceled last year, the world-class competition is back
26201901_web1_210503-HSL-ChainsawCarvingNOTcancelled-carving_1
Ryan Villiers helped promote this year’s Chainsaw Carving Championship, which is happening this weekend, Aug. 19 - 22, 2021. Villiers is one of this year’s competitors. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard)

By the time you read these words, one of the world’s greatest chainsaw carving competitions will have already been going on for a day, but that doesn’t mean the fun and excitement is anywhere near over.

The smell of sawdust and gasoline will be again in the air beginning at 8 a.m. this morning, with the exciting-to-watch speed carving competitions happening between 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. And you don’t want to miss out on snagging one of the amazing pieces at the on-site auction, which will be at 2 p.m.

READ MORE: Hope’s biannual chainsaw carving competition moving ahead

The carving action continues tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday, with speed carving competitions and auctions happening at the same time as today; but tomorrow will also have a sidewalk sale, a kids’ birdhouse painting activity, and live concerts in the park from 7 - 9 p.m.

However, to maintain social distancing, audience members are encouraged to bring a blanket for the ground to mark their spot, so to speak, which will allow others to guage where they can set up.

All events take place in Memorial Park, in Hope’s downtown core, and the event winners will be announced on Sunday afternoon, during the Speed & Designated Large Carving Auction, which kicks off at 3 p.m. Judges for this year are Dr. Rob Forde, and Ken Misener.


@SarahGawdin
Sarah.Gawdin@hopestandard.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Want to support local journalism during the pandemic? Make a donation here.