Lumberjack
Show Headlines Farm Fest
Hudson,
NY — The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, with five breath-taking
contests, headlines the entertainment at Farm Fest '05, Saturday,
October 1.
Lumberjacking
is a tough trade, one that requires intelligence, the instinct
of a cat and laser-quick speed. All these traits will be on
display when the two-man lumberjack show goes into action.
The
show is one of several traveling demonstrations put together
by bearded, heavyset lumberjack Lee LeCaptain, a seven-time
world champion logroller and rated #2 in the world for crosscut
sawing. The show blends lumberjack action, corny tales, and
information about the trade, including teaching the proper
way to start a chain saw and putting away sharp tools immediately
after use. The main sponsor of the two shows at Farm Fest
is Hudson River Bank and Trust Foundation.
In
the axe throwing competition, two men toss their 3-pound double
bit axes at a target twenty feet away, with hair splitting
accuracy. Each Bunyan lumberjack has three throws to better
himself. The competition is close, almost always coming down
to the final throw.
In
the underhand chopping contest, the lumberjacks stand on top
of a log and swing their 5 1/2-pound razor sharp New Zealand
speed axe between their feet with all the strength they have,
just missing their toes by a fraction of an inch. Speed, strength,
accuracy and dexterity make up this event.
In
the two-man crosscut sawing demonstration, each man grips
the end of the saw and pulls it back and forth, ripping the
70 razor sharp teeth through the wood with each powerful stroke
of the blade. No factory stock chainsaw can beat them!
In
the dragster chainsaw demonstration, the lumberjack uses a
97CC chainsaw, with giant expansion chambers, doubling the
horsepower. The noise and excitement can be heard from around
the entire fair grounds. Don't blink, advises LeCaptain, because
if you do, you'll miss the action.
The
Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show has done over 100,000 performances,
reaching over a million people a year around the world in
its 29-year history. These lumberjacks have performed on every
major
TV
and cable station in the U.S. as well as several of the reality
shows. Now, they will add Farm Fest '05 to their long list
of country fairs and events.
Produced
by the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and now in its
third year, Farm Fest is a family-oriented celebration of
local agriculture that features food, music, exhibits, children's
activities and farm animals.
The
purpose of Farm Fest is to showcase the exceptional agricultural
diversity in the county. The festival
provides a unique opportunity for farmers and foresters to
sell their product as well as tell their story.
Exhibitors
sell products such as eggs, fruits, vegetables, herbs, firewood,
cut flowers, perennials, shrubs, trees, grains, milk and other
products from Columbia County soil or livestock.
Food
vendors are invited to cook up their best using locally grown
ingredients when possible. Those selling “value-added” products
feature items made from locally grown raw materials. Grapevine
wreaths, applesauce, jams, sweaters, hand-made furniture are
just some of the possibilities. Vendors that use local products
are noted in the program.
Among
the many featured attractions are meet and greet with animals,
musicians and entertainers, storytellers, a hay maze and hay
jump, farm equipment displays, hands-on activities for children,
and much more.
Vendor
space is available both indoors and out, ranging in size from
10' x 10' to 10' x 20'. Electricity is available, if needed.
For those selling anything, the vendor space fee is $35. For
those putting up an educational display, workshop or program,
animal exhibits, but not selling any items, there is no fee.
All vendors are entitled to free passes based on booth space.
Farm
Fest '05 runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October
1 at the Columbia County Fairgrounds off Route 66 in Chatham
. Admission, which includes parking and raffle tickets, is
$5 per person. Children 12 and under enter for free.
Farm
Fest ‘05 is produced by the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce
with overwhelming support from The Columbia Land Conservancy.
Additional supporters include the Columbia County Agricultural
Society, Columbia County Farm Bureau, Community Supported
Agriculture of Columbia County, First Pioneer Farm Credit
ACA, Assemblyman Patrick Manning, Cornell Cooperative Extension
of Columbia County, and Columbia Hudson Partnership. Sponsors
include the Berry Farm and Coach Farm, Inc. Media sponsors
are The Independent and The Register-Star. Major funding support
is provided by Hudson River Bank & Trust Foundation and
Green Pastures of the Berkshire-Taconic Foundation.
For
sponsorship or vendor information, please contact the Chamber
at (518) 828-4417.
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