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Timber Carnivals

Five great places to watch the experts cut up in Oregon and Washington

Sunset

Timber carnivals

BROWNSVILLE, OR

Brownsville Loggers Jamboree. Now in its 117th year, this is a real, old-fashioned loggers’ carnival, right down to the ax throwing. But chopping and sawing events are no less spectacular. Jun 20; free. Pioneer Park, Park Dr.; 541/367-3803.

BUCKLEY, WA

Buckley Log Show. Start the morning with the Lumberjack Pancake Breakfast on Saturday. You’ll need it ― just watching the fast-paced events might make you feel exhausted. Jun 26-27; free. Log Show Grounds, River Rd.; www.buckleychamber.org or 360/897-8324.

NEAR DEMING, WA

Deming Logging Show. Loggers’ breakfast starts at 6 a.m. After seeing all the events, don’t miss the enormous machinery display, then hit the chicken, beef, and salmon barbecue. Jun12-13; $6. On Cedarville Rd., 10 miles east of Bellingham; www.demingloggingshow.com or 360/592-3051.

ESTACADA, OR

Estacada Timber Show. A pair attack an 18-inch block with axes in the two-man underhand butcher-block chopping event. In the springboard chopping event, sweat drips like rain as 12-inch blocks are hacked apart in 50 seconds. Jun 19; free. Timber Park, off State 224; estacadatimberfestival.com 503/699-0765.

NORTH BEND, OR

Oregon Bay Area Lumberjack Competition. The spar poles for speed climbing and tree top- ping tower 50 feet. At the “hot saw”events, souped-up chain saws tear into log rounds with startling speed. Jun 26; free. Mill Casino Hotel on U.S. 101, north of Coos Bay; 541/672-0757. ― Steven R. Lorton