Celebrating logging and its impact on the region at Alberta’s only logging-themed festival

 

The 2018 Blue Ridge Logging Days were held from September 7 through September 9 and were a fun weekend event for all ages. This year the festivities were moved from the backyard of the old library to the ball diamonds. The venue featured several different food options, Axehole axe throwing, a few games for children, a petting zoo, and live music.

The yearly celebration of all things logging kicked off on Friday with a dinner and dance at the Blue Ridge Community Hall. On Saturday, the hall was filled with vendors for a community garage sale and market. The rest of the activities took place at the diamonds from noon until six with live music continuing into the evening.

Bands that took to the mic on Saturday included the Michelle Arcand Band, the Kevin McKenzie Band, David and the Titans, BBBaskis, Joe Public, and Beauty and the Beats. There was freshly made bannock on site, fried pickles, mini donuts, and everything in between. Several wood carvers worked throughout the weekend meticulously and flawlessly turning large pieces of wood into intricate designs. Wicked Willow Log Works was one of the carving groups situated at the diamonds and on Saturday afternoon was working on a massive eagle sculpture. The piece stood at least eight feet tall and attracted a lot of attention by event goers as they stopped to watch the magic unfold one chainsaw move at a time.

Wallingford Farm held a pony party and invited everyone to come into the pen to see their cute and furry animals. Rosalee Wallingford brought a mini horse, mini donkey, pot bellied pig, several goats including a dwarf, four rabbits, and two guinea pigs. Many of the animals she brought were rehomed to her in some way and are now ridiculously spoiled by all the glorious attention they receive as part of the petting zoo. “I love it and the animals love it, too. Our piggy was sitting for fries all day and she just loved it,” laughed Wallingford.

“Our mini horse Molly goes into the hospital in Mayerthorpe and into the seniors’ homes. Over the summer we went to the hospital twice a month and to the Lodge once. We are booked into the extended care, too. We love it very much and they love having us,” she smiled. The final day of the 2018 Blue Ridge Logging Days included a pancake breakfast, native dancers, the finals of the Axehole competition, and the ending of the carving auctions.