A supplement to the Skagit Valley Herald, Anacortes American and Concrete Herald
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Contents
President’s Letter .................................................... Pg. 4
Thanks to our many Sponsors ............................. Pg. 18
Map of Sedro-Woolley .......................................... Pg. 19
Event Organizers, Volunteers, and Sponsors ..... Pg. 23
Meet the Carvers ................................................... Pg. 24-32
Sedro-Woolley Museum ....................................... Pg. 33-34
Welcome to the Loggerodeo™!
Asthe years go by, there are changes in lifestyles, prices, and many other things; but the one thing we always do is celebrate our freedom. Next year we will be celebrating 250 years. The way we first celebrated the 4th of July back in 1886 would be considered simple compared to how we celebrate nowadays. The purpose of the event was to celebrate our freedom and to have fun. They would read the Declaration of Independence. As we celebrate the birth of our nation, let us thank and remember all the men and women and young people who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. Remember why we celebrate the 4th of July! We need to preserve events and items from our past so we can learn from our history –whether good or bad. Some Loggerodeo™ events have come and gone, but we have been able to continue this celebration and keep our history and tradition going. Now, it’s time for freedom, family, and friends!
This year we have done a couple of fundraisers for the fireworks. They cost us $1,000.00 a minute. We had a Mardi-Gras dance, with a dessert dash in March and in April we did a spaghetti feed with a silent auction. We would like to thank everyone who attended one or both of our fundraisers and everyone who contributed desserts and auction items.
In 1948, the celebration was officially named Loggerodeo™ in a local naming contest; it was that year that the fireworks were added. We are excited to bring back the Carnival, Kiddies and Grand Parades, Street Dance, Beard Contest (this year big prizes), Pie-Eating Contest, arts & crafts and food vendors at Riverfront Park, fireworks, Junior Logging Exhibition (no experience necessary, cash prizes), and the Chainsaw Carving Competition. We are very proud to be officially known as the Chainsaw Carving Capitol of Washington State. We are bringing in a new event this year: a Mullet Contest open to most ages.
We start planning in September for next year. I want to thank all my board members and their families for all they do to make this event a success. I do not always say it, but I appreciate their hard work and stepping up when needed to continue this event. It will be our 77th year known as the Loggerodeo this year. Our board members this year are Bonnie Irish, Tonia Smiley, Tina Shields, Rose Torset, Paul Chandler, George Kenny, Dale Irish, and Connor Mickelson. I also want to thank all the volunteers that stepped up to help this year: Kevin Lester, Shannon Lester, Matt Desvoigne, Dan Martin, and Kelly Brooks. Without the board members, volunteers, and many sponsors we would not have a Loggerodeo™. Each year it gets harder with the rising costs of things, but with our sponsors, we are able to pull it off. We encourage the community to stop in to sponsor businesses and thank them for their continued support when you meet them. Thank you to the Sedro-Woolley Lion’s Club and their families for all the hard work of organizing and lining up the Grand Parade each year. It is not an easy job.
Come celebrate with us and enjoy the different events. I hope you all enjoy, share memories, and make new ones. It’s a time for family fun, picnics, reunions, and lots of other fun. Please have fun and be safe, because every day is precious, and tomorrow is not promised.
Dottie Chandler, Loggerodeo™ President
Letter from Julia Johnson, Mayor of Sedro-Woolley:
Iamhonored to have this opportunity to welcome you to Sedro-Woolley, the Gateway City to the North Cascades and the only city that hails the longest running Loggerodeo™ Grand Parade and celebration in the State of Washington.
Incorporated in 1898, Sedro-Woolley has held fast to its history, maintaining the hometown charm and annually celebrating the Loggerodeo™ festivities, which tells our story best. Organized in the early 1900s, The Grand Parade and Rodeo set the stage for events that offered something for everyone. The Carnival became part of the festivities around 1910, and since that time, a myriad of events has been added, including the 29th Annual Chainsaw Carving Championship, Kiddies Parade, live music at the Street Dance, the Eagles Classic Car Show, historic Beard Contest, and the famous Sedro-Woolley Footrace. All these events have become an established part of our celebration, and something we all look forward to each year. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without the amazing display of fireworks that climax Loggerodeo™ and the 4th of July celebration; it is an exciting and impressive display at Riverfront Park, and something you do not want to miss.
Loggerodeo™ allows us to celebrate our roots in the timber industry, which is the foundation that shaped our community. Over the years, we’ve evolved into a hub of innovation and cutting-edge technology with global reach, all while proudly preserving our small-town Americana feel. Our strong sense of identity is rooted in our downtown business district, which offers several wonderful stores and restaurants. Our charming library was designed to honor our past and present, and our beautiful parks and several trails give us a place to explore and keep us connected to the land, for which we are grateful.
Loggerodeo™ may be a multi-day festivity of events, but it is also a time for gatherings and celebration here in Sedro-Woolley. Families, friends, and former classmates come together for music festivals, BBQs, and reunions. That said, I extend an invitation for you to come visit Sedro-Woolley and seize the opportunity to partake in one or more of the Loggerodeo™ activities offered over the 4th of July celebration. I know you’ll have a wonderful time, make memories, and plan your return for next year.
Happy 4th of July! I look forward to seeing you soon.
Julia Johnson, Mayor of Sedro-Woolley
History of the Loggerodeo™
Welcometo the world-famous Loggerodeo™, Sedro-Woolley’s official Fourth of July celebration. Independence Day festivities in then separate towns Sedro and Woolley began in 1886, making this the oldest Independence Day festivities in the state. The towns merged in 1898 and the festivities continued through both world wars and The Great Depression, though the size of the event and the specific activities varied. The festival was named Loggerodeo™ in 1948, which makes this year the 77th annual event under that name! The Loggerodeo™ has a tradition of bringing community members - past and present - together. Many old timers who have moved away make trips back to town to visit with friends and family and share in the annual celebration. Over the years, the festivities have varied in length; 2025 will run July 1 through July 5 with a few other great activities happening on June 29. This is good, old-fashioned family fun, and a great way to celebrate our nation’s independence and Sedro-Woolley’s logging history and small-town community feel.
previously had their own Independence Day celebrations.
The original Sedro-Woolley rodeo was held in 1914 and consisted of riding, racing, and roping exhibitions; it attracted ten thousand people from all parts of the Pacific Northwest. The rodeo continued on an irregular schedule until 1934 when community members decided to restore it at the grounds on Polte Road. The Rodeo expanded into a two-day event in 1946 and included calf and trick roping; bronco, steer and bareback riding; and bulldogging. In that year, $1,500 in cash prizes was awarded, including $150 to the best all-around cowboy.
The name Loggerodeo™ dates back to 1948 when John Conrad won a city-wide naming contest, sponsored by the returning World War II vets of the American Legion. He won a $25 cash prize. The year 1948 was special for the Loggerodeo™ as it combined two celebrations that had often been run separately during the week of July 4: logging contests and a rodeo. Many old timers still say that the 1948 event was the wildest Loggerodeo™ ever. A fireworks display was added along with the Street Dance in front of the Legion Hall on Murdock Street. The Ziegler Brothers Carnival had been introduced in 1946 and continued into 1948 and beyond. The year 1948 also marked the 50th anniversary of the merger of Sedro and Woolley towns, which had each
In 1948, the competitive logging events were expanded. Rules were codified for the Log Drive; originally nearly 12 feet long, the log was eventually standardized at eight feet with a 14-inch diameter. A crew would drop the log into the Skagit River from the Marblemount Bridge. The log was then followed downriver by a motor boat to ensure that it wasn’t stolen. Rodeo queen candidates sold raffle tickets to local gamblers who were trying to guess how long the log would take to float down to its destination at the Clear Lake Bridge. Depending on the depth of the river and obstructions in a given year, the trip varied 10 to 19 hours. For many years, a local radio station would announce updates on the log’s progress called in by Don Collen who participated in the event in one way or another for decades starting in the early 1960s. He was the Logging Show MC and a Log Show chairperson in the 1980s. The log drive ended in the 1990s but the Sedro-Woolley Lions Club brought it back in 2023!
Historical details were found in the Skagit River Journal and through the Sedro-Woolley Museum.
2025 Loggerodeo™ Event Schedule
It’s always a good idea to check the Loggerodeo™ website and Facebook page closer to the event for any last-minute changes.
Sunday, June 29
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Eagles Classic Car Show (registration at 6 a.m., awards at 3 p.m., 50/50 drawing following awards.)
Tuesday, July 1
12 p.m. - Decorated House and Business judging
5 p.m. – Kiddies Parade (line up between 4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. behind Lemley Chapel. Judging at 4:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, July 2
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Chainsaw Carving Competition
4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Arts & Crafts Fair
3 p.m. – 8 p.m. Food Vendors
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Quick Carve
4 p.m. – Carnival opens
5 p.m. - Quick Carve Auction
6 p.m. – Latin Fiesta at the Rodeo Grounds with Local dancing horses, live band, beer garden
Thursday, July 3
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Chainsaw Carving Competition
12 p.m. – 8 p.m. Food Vendors
1 p.m. – 7 p.m. Arts & Crafts Fair
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Quick Carve
1 p.m. – Carnival opens
4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Early race tag pickup for the Great SedroWoolley Footrace at Sedro-Woolley High School gym
5 p.m. - Quick Carve Auction
6 p.m. – PRCA Rodeo at the Rodeo Grounds – Woolley Tuff – Tough Enough to Wear Pink
Friday, July 4
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Chainsaw Carving Competition
9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. The Great Sedro-Woolley Footrace (check-in begins at 7:30 a.m.)
11 a.m. - Grand Parade
11 a.m. – 6 p.m. - BBQ in the Eagles parking lot
11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Arts & Crafts Fair
11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Food Vendors
12 p.m. – Carnival opens
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Quick Carve
3 p.m. - PRCA Rodeo at the Rodeo Grounds, presented by Les Schwab
5 p.m. - Quick Carve Auction
10 p.m. - Fireworks
Saturday, July 5
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Chainsaw Carving Competition
1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Quick Carve
3 p.m. Quick Carve Auction followed by Awards Ceremony
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Sedro-Woolley Jr. Log Show at the log show grounds at Janicki Fields
10 a.m. Beard Contest at Hammer Heritage Square (register at 9:30 a.m.)
11 a.m. Mullet Contest at Hammer Heritage Square (register at 10:30 a.m.)
12 p.m. – Pie Eating Contest at Hammer Heritage Square (registered participants sign in at 11:30 a.m.)
1. Print your application from loggerodeo.org under forms and mail to P.O. Box 712, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284.
2. Print your application from loggerodeo.org under forms and drop it off in the mail slot at the Loggerodeo™ office: 727 Murdock St. Unit 3. (Above the museum).
3. Print your application from loggerodeo.org under forms and drop it off wherever Loggerodeo™ T-shirt sales are happening (check Facebook or website for times and locations).
4. Register online through online registration forms found at https://www.loggerodeo.org/Forms.html.
Loggerodeo™ T-shirts will be for sale starting in June through July 5 (check Facebook or website for times and locations). T-shirts cost $17.
The 2025 T-shirt design was created by local artist, Ryan Irish, who is a freshman at Concrete High School. Thank you to the other students who submitted their drawings from Samish Grade School.
Thank you to our T-shirt sponsors: Skagit Farmers Supply Country Store (carvers and staff), Village Concepts, Judd & Black, Foothills Toyota, Freedom Entertainment Fireworks, Swinomish Casino/Hotel, The Walnut Tree (Soroptimist International of Sedro-Woolley), Honda of Burlington, and Cascade Natural Gas.
Loggerodeo™ Events
Loggerodeo™ contact information:
Website: www.loggerodeo.org
E-mail: sedrowoolleyloggerodeo@ frontier.com
Phone: 360-770-8452
There are four options to register:
1. Print your application from loggerodeo.org under forms and mail to P.O. Box 712, SedroWoolley, WA 98284.
2. Print your application from loggerodeo.org under forms and drop it off in the mail slot at the Loggerodeo™ office: 727 Murdock St. Unit 3. (Above the museum).
3. Print your application from loggerodeo.org under forms and drop it off wherever Loggerodeo™ T-shirt sales are happening (check Facebook or website for times and locations).
4. Register online through online
registration forms found at https:// www.loggerodeo.org/Forms.html.
Loggerodeo™ T-shirts will be for sale starting in June through July 5 (check Facebook or website for times and locations). T-shirts cost $17.
The 2025 T-shirt design was created by local artist, Ryan Irish, who is a freshman at Concrete High School. Thank you to the other students who submitted their drawings from Samish Grade School.
Thank you to our T-shirt sponsors: Skagit Farmers Supply Country Store (carvers and staff), Village Concepts, Judd & Black, Foothills Toyota, Freedom Entertainment Fireworks, Swinomish Casino/Hotel, The Walnut Tree (Soroptimist International of Sedro-Woolley),
Honda of Burlington, and Cascade Natural Gas.
Rainier Amusements Carnival
The carnival is back with fun for the whole family! You can expect exciting amusement rides, rewarding and fun games, and delicious fair food concessions. Pre-sale wristbands are $35 for two games and unlimited rides on whatever day you choose to go. Wristbands purchased at the carnival will cost $45. No refunds or exchanges. Age and height requirements may apply. Some rides require closed toed shoes. Please check the Loggerodeo™ website or Facebook page for presale ticket times and locations.
Rainier Amusements has 60+ years of midway experience with an outstanding reputation. It is a family owned and operated company offering traveling amusement park entertainment at 30 events every year in the Pacific Northwest. The hands-on owner-operator management is their #1 asset and includes Mitchell Hoss as owner/president, Crystal Hoss as owner, and Chris Hoss as concession owner/operator.
The team works daily to provide the safest and most memorable experience for fairgoers. The management team believes in providing the best in customer service and satisfaction to create customers for life. All employees are fully trained in all aspects of their roles and responsibilities and customer service. The organization’s goal every day is to create total teamwork with the most knowledgeable staff in the industry.
Rainier Amusements works closely
with fair and event management, state inspectors, and local authorities to ensure a safe and secure midway at all times. Visit https://rainieramusements. com/ for more information.
Log Drive
The Log Drive is a historic event that was started in the 40s and ran until the 1990s. The Sedro-Woolley Log Drive was revived by the Lions Club in 2023, and it’s back again this year! A crew will drop a log into the Skagit River from the Marblemount Bridge on Sunday, June 29 where it will float to HWY 9 bridge in Sedro-Woolley. Based on past history, the trip is expected to take between 10-19 hours, depending on the depth of the river and any obstructions. You can buy tickets to guess how long the run will take this year. All tickets must be turned in by 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 28. The closest guess takes 25% of proceeds and the other 75% will be donated to
childhood cancer care. The winner will be announced on July 4 around 11 a.m. at the Loggerodeo™ Grand Parade.
Tickets are $5 and will be sold through Sedro-Woolley Lions Club members and participating locations. Please visit the Lions Club website (www.sedrowoolleylions.com/log-drive) for more information.
The Grand Parade, sponsored by Sierra Pacific Industries
The Grand Parade is a very special part of the Loggerodeo™. It begins at 11 a.m. on July Fourth and takes about 90-120 entrants through a mile-long route from Sedro-Woolley High School through downtown and along Ferry Street.
Participants may use log trucks, decorated floats of all sizes, antique cars and
trucks, or even old John Deere tractors, horses, or the funny pooper scoopers. There are often a few drill teams, race cars, and, of course, the Nile Shriners of Seattle. There are always marching units, a band or two, and fire trucks along with many local businesses, organizations, and church groups. For safety reasons, candy and other items can be handed out but may not be thrown to the crowd.
The parade is organized by the Sedro-Woolley Lions Club that is celebrating 88 years of service to their community this year. The Sedro-Woolley Lions Club has been presenting the Grand Parade since before 1950. The Loggerodeo™ had become accustomed to asking the club to take on the task every year and then about 1950 the club officially took it over as their community project. There has been a Lions Club member on the Loggerodeo™ board since 1950. Long
time Lions Club member, Rose Torset, is the lead parade organizer.
The parade is one of the biggest events in Sedro-Woolley and organizing such a large event takes a lot of effort from volunteers. Of the Lions Club’s 20 members, 7-10 are actively involved in putting on the parade along with family members and other volunteers from the community. The work includes collecting parade applications, selecting judges and the grand marshal, and staging entries for the parade lineup. Anyone who is interested in becoming a Lions member can talk to any of the members at the parade or pick up an application at parade central.
Grand marshal:
The Loggerodeo™ Lions Club Grand Parade Committee is pleased to announce Shelley Perry as the 2025 grand
marshal. Shelly is the owner of Shelley’s Shack Boutique and The Garage Café, located on a corner lot off State Street in Sedro-Woolley. “I started Shelley’s Shack Boutique in its original location near the feed store in 2013, then moved in 2015. Now we can see the parade from our store window and the carvers are right across the street in the Woolley parking lot. We love watching the parade and hearing the chainsaws going during the competition,” she shared.
Shelley was inspired to open the café in 2022 to offer a place for her customers to have a plate and a coffee that gives a full experience of community. “I love this small-town of Sedro-Woolley and knowing my neighbors. I feel safe here.”
“I am so excited to be grand marshal,” said Shelley. “I’m thrilled and I feel very honored.”
Fireworks
Show, sponsored by Peoples Bank and The Skagit Casino Resort
Sedro-Woolley’s patriotic fireworks show is held at Riverfront Park at dusk
on July 4. The park has a great “open view” of the night sky and there is ample free parking and room to enjoy the spectacular show. Fireworks are provided by Freedom Entertainment Fireworks of Sedro-Woolley, Washington.
Come early to picnic, stroll along the beautiful Skagit River, or tailgate in the parking lot across from the park.
Arts & Crafts Fair
The Arts & Crafts Fair will be held at Riverfront Park, July 2-5. Check the Schedule of Events for daily times. Please turn in your application by Saturday, June 14. Contact the Loggerodeo™ at 360-770-8452 with any questions.
Sedro-Woolley
Jr.
Log Show, Sponsored by WECU & Skagit Log and Construction Inc.
The Sedro-Woolley Jr. Log Show is back this year! Spectators will experience a fast-paced, adrenaline pumping logging exhibition and participants will have an opportunity to compete with a variety of vintage tools, including pole climbing with conventional spurs, axe throwing, choker setting, and single buck and double buck crosscut saw. For
rience required! There will be experienced people at the event to teach participants how to use the tools! The show will take place at the log show grounds at Janicki Fields on Saturday, July 5 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with scoring from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The event will be “open pit”, so participants will benefit from starting on time.
Please download a parent permission application form from the Loggerodeo™ website or pick up a form where Loggerodeo™ T-shirts are sold then bring it filled out for same-day registration. Participants should arrive between 9:30
He taught agriculture for 40 years and coached the logging teams at both Sedro-Woolley High School and White River High School. Over his 20-year tenure at Sedro-Woolley High School, the logging team was the undefeated state champions 20 years in a row! Said Wayne, “I went to school in California where there was no high school FFA so I had to learn logging skills by hanging around people who were really good. I learned many tips and tricks from them over the years and practiced a lot. I have lived in Big Lake for 25 years. I like this community a lot. I like the way the businesses and parents support their
Sedro-Woolley RODEO
Chainsaw Carving Championship
Join us for the 29th annual Chainsaw Carving Championship; the premier carving event of the Pacific Northwest in the “chainsaw carving capital of Washington State and the Pacific Northwest!”
The competition is consistently held on the corner of Murdock and State streets but it has grown and changed over the years, which is part of what keeps the event exciting! This year will feature a four-day event July 2-5. On July 2, 3 and 4, the chainsaw carving competition will run 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by quick carves between 1:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m., and quick carve auctions at 5 p.m. On July 5, the competition will run 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the quick carve at 1:15 p.m., followed by the quick carve auction and awards
ceremony at 3 p.m. With 25-28 hours to work on their master sculptures, there will be plenty of anticipation around the finished products and the judges’ picks on July 5. Help crown a Peoples Bank “People’s Choice” winner and join in the celebration for this year’s winners!
Awards are granted to the top seven Best Overall Quick Carves and the top five main event carvings plus People’s Choice and Carver’s Choice. Thank you to Peoples Bank for sponsoring “People’s Choice” and Wood’s Logging Supply for sponsoring Carver’s Choice. Judges look for the following five criteria in choosing the best competitors: artistic impact, effectiveness of design, use of material, difficulty, and craftsmanship. A portion of the event’s proceeds goes to support the Loggerodeo™. Please bid on the wonderful carvings to show your support for the Loggerodeo™ and keep the carving
I love being here to help in a community where people are making a difference ever y day. Thank you for all you do.
State Farm, Blooming ton, IL Keith S ores tad, A gent 820 Township Street Sedro Woo lley, WA 9 828 4 Bus: 3 60 - 8 55 -18 31 keith sorestad b7vo @statefarm.com Hab lamos Español
competition going into the future!
First organized by Rocky McArthur in 1996, the Chainsaw Carving Championship has always been a very special Loggerodeo™ event. Under the steady leadership of long-time pro carver, George Kenny, crowds come out year after year to enjoy the competition. Said Kenny, “We are once again going to be in the midst of some of the world’s best carving talent. After last year’s event, the carver world was rocked by the stellar talent, the word went out and the phones were ringing constantly with folks wanting to get into this year’s show. Along with the strong West Coast showing, we have at least 10 of the group from either overseas or out of state, which makes for an exciting and interesting mix of carving styles, sure to make the judges have to sharpen their pencils! A not to be missed event is shaping up, mark your calendar! July 2, saws in the air!”
The lineup for the main event includes 15 of some of the best carvers around anywhere. Also carving are Steve Backus and George Kenny, who will both be
doing exhibition carving throughout the week! As always, look out for your favorites and some fresh, new faces. See “Meet the Carvers” at the end of the program to get to know them.
Carvers work with six-to-eightfoot redwood and cedar logs to carve beautiful sculptures with themes such as Northwest wildlife and logging. “The Loggerodeo™ has purchased a load of nice cedar logs from Beko’s Tree Service and Wood Carving out of Shelton, Washington. P And D Tree Service has also been a major supplier of logs for the last couple of years,” shared Kenny. “We are thankful for The Dreyers Tree Service who is our new wood sponsor this year. Without their support we would be hard pressed to provide all the great logs needed to put on such an event!”
George Kenny of Allyn, Washington returns as the event’s carver coordinator and auctioneer. As a carver and former competitor himself, he has been closely involved with the carving industry for over 20 years, helping to coordinate carving shows around the country. He also knows the carvers personally,
is familiar with their past and recent accomplishments and has even competed against some of them. George travels across the U.S. doing custom works and shows. In 2004, he opened a first of its kind training facility called the George Kenny School of Chainsaw Carving that has been instrumental in teaching the next generation of carvers. Students come from all over the country to take his acclaimed three-day course and many of these students go on to become champions themselves. Kenny currently organizes and auctions for The Northern California Championships, and the Monterey County Fair in California. George has been featured in TV spots with Alaska Airlines, Pemco, American Express and on the show Treehouse Masters on the Discovery Channel. Look out for George’s exhibition carving and quick carves this year.
Thank you to Randy Jensen from Oregon Tool who has returned again as a major sponsor. They are sponsoring swag boxes of fun stuff at the carvers meet and greet and the corporate office is also putting $1000.00 toward the
prize pool. Oregon Tool will have a trailer near the carving area sharpening chains and helping with saws and bars! Thank you to all the local sponsors who provided cash prizes, supplies, and volunteer time. Shout out to Farmers Equipment Company for supplying the forklifts and to Fastenal for supplying the water for the volunteers, carvers, and staff. Contact George at gknwman@ yahoo.com for more information.
Patriotic Business and House Decorating Contest
In a long-standing tradition, about a dozen houses and a handful of businesses participate in the patriotic contest each year, decorating their home or business in Red, White, and Blue for the Fourth of July. A panel of local judges will rank the homes and businesses for best use of patriotic colors. Judging will
take place on July 1 at 12 p.m.
Please turn in your application form by Friday, June 27. Call the Loggerodeo™ at 360-770-8452 with any questions.
Beard Contest, sponsored by KAPS/KBRC Radio
The annual Beard Contest is one of the oldest Fourth of July events in Sedro-Woolley and the longest running beard competition in the State of Washington; it’s been running since the 1930s (apart from a one-year break for Covid)! Tonia Smiley is the event organizer and
judges will be brought in. This year’s contest will be held on Saturday, July 5 at 10 a.m. Contestants should meet at Hammer Heritage Square at 9:30 a.m. to get their name on the list. Come to see a great selection of beards including red, white, and blue dyed beards, thick, long, short, and scraggly beards. Prizes will be awarded to the following categories: Originality, Most Patriotic, Best Groomed.
Starting in June, 2013, then Sedro-Woolley Police Chief, Doug Wood, allowed his police officers to grow a beard for the Beard Contest. The next police chief, Lin Tucker, allowed it again in 2014 and decided to continue it indefinitely. The contest has grown and shrunk over the last several years – ranging between 14 and 28 contestants since 2017. We are hoping for a big turnout this year! Contact the Loggerodeo™ at 360-7708452 for more information.
Mullet Contest, sponsored by KAPS/KBRC Radio
Brand new this year! Sign up to participate in our Mullet Contest! There will be three categories of participants: kids, youth, and 16 and over. The event will take place at Hammer Heritage Square at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 5. Participants should come at 10:30 a.m. to register.
Pie Eating Contest
Do you love pie? Sign up to participate in our Pie Eating Contest! There will be three categories of participants: kids, youth, and 16 and over. The event will take place at Hammer Heritage Square at 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 5. Participants should come at 11:30 a.m. to sign in but must pre-register through the online application form on the Loggerodeo™ website by Friday, June 27. (Pre-registration is required because space is limited to 10 people per age category).
Sedro-Woolley Rodeo
The Sedro-Woolley Riding Club board of directors is excited to announce the 91st anniversary of the Sedro-Woolley PRCA Rodeo. All events
will include food and merchant vendors as well as a beer garden. Event organizers are ecstatic to be joining forces again with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), and stock contractor Aces Wild Pro Rodeo to offer a very high-caliber show.
Featured events include grand entry, stick pony races, steer wrestling, tiedown roping, breakaway roping, team roping, bareback riding, ranch saddle bronc riding, bull riding, and more. There will also be a rodeo clown for the kids.
Events:
Latin Fiesta with local dancing horses, live band, and beer garden Wednesday, July 2 at 6 p.m. -
Cost: General admission tickets $15.00; 4 and under free on lap.
PRCA Rodeo - Woolley Tuff - Tough Enough to Wear Pink Thursday, July 3 at 6 p.m. - Friday, July 4 at 3 p.m. - PRCA Rodeo, presented by Les Schwab Cost: General admission tickets $20 (ages 11-64), seniors (65 and older) & active military $15.00, youth (ages 5-10) $15.00; 4 and under free on lap. At the gate tickets are $5.00 more per person.
On-site parking is $5. Gates open two hours prior to performances. Visit www.sedrowoolleyrodeo.com for more information and to purchase tickets.
Sedro-Woolley Rodeo History:
The first Sedro-Woolley rodeo show as part of the Fourth of July celebration in Sedro-Woolley occurred in 1914 and consisted of racing, riding and roping exhibitions; it attracted thousands of spectators from all over the Northwest. Tickets cost less than 50 cents and broncs were saddled in the arena rather than the bucking chutes. The original rodeo continued off and on at the Polte Road location until 1934 when local promoters expanded the celebration into an annual tradition. Today’s rodeo continues the tradition of showing the duties of a working cowboy/cowgirl and his/her duties on the range. For many competitors, rodeo is more than a hobby; it is a career and a way of life.
2025 Sedro-Woolley Rodeo Queen, Brookelyn Johnson
Brookelyn Johnson is the 18-yearold daughter of Brad and Becky Johnson, and sister of Malyha Johnson. She is a senior at Sedro-Woolley High School. Brookelyn grew up right here in Sedro-Woolley where she found her passion for riding horses.
Brookelyn’s grandma Cheri, who was the 1972 Sedro-Woolley Rodeo Queen, introduced her to and shared her love of horses with her. Brookelyn has always enjoyed the outdoors whether it be on horseback, camping, fishing, hiking or hanging out at the lake. She is a dedicated, reliable young person who is always willing to help out and learn something new.
Brookelyn works part time at a local coffee stand, Timber Espresso, where she looks forward to talking with her customers daily and serving them great coffee! She has carried sponsor flags for the Sedro-Woolley Riding Club for two years and looks forward to carrying the title of Sedro-Woolley Rodeo Queen this year. This has been a dream of Brookelyn’s since she was a little girl and she is excited to represent our town, Sedro-Woolley, at rodeos all around Washington!
Always- Charley Anderson & Shelby Hurley Co Royalty Directors
Visit www.sedrowoolleyrodeo.com to find out about rodeo queen event dates such as the horsemanship clinic and royalty trail ride plus contest eligibility and royal duties.
The Sedro-Woolley Rodeo named
its first queen in 1950, Glenda Rae Aldridge. A queen was chosen consecutively until 1953, followed by a break until 1971; after which it became an annual tradition. The Sedro-Woolley Rodeo queen is an ambassador for the sport of rodeo and the Western way of life; she represents the program with grace, integrity and professionalism. Her reign is a 12 month-commitment, running January 1 through December 31. Competition for this title consists of horsemanship, public speaking, interviews, rodeo knowledge, appearance, and personality. Judges are chosen from throughout Washington State based on their knowledge and experience with rodeo but who have no personal knowledge and/or history with any of the contestants. During her reign, the Sedro-Woolley Rodeo queen travels to various rodeos, parades, public events,
Chainsaw Carving Awards
Fireworks
Thank You Sponsors for 2025!
Fireworks and People’s Choice Chainsaw Carving award Grand Parade
Street dance and Jr. Log Show
General Sponsors:
Beard and Mullet Contests
Backspins • Carl’s Towing • Cascade Pizza Sedro-Woolley • E & E Lumber & Home Center
Fastenal • Forge & Nail • Janicki Logging Co. • Keith Sorestad - State Farm Insurance Agent
Lemley Chapel • Les Schwab Tire Center of Sedro-Woolley • Northwest Propane
Oliver-Hammer Clothes Shop • Pacific Party Canopies • Rob Graham Trucking Inc.
Shelly’s Shack / The Garage Café • Stiles & Lehr Inc., P.S. Attorneys at Law • Skagit Aggregates, LLC
Skagit Log and Construction Inc. (Logs for the Jr. Log Show) • Skagit Publishing
Cascade Natural Gas • Foothills Toyota • Freedom Entertainment Fireworks
Honda of Burlington • Judd & Black • Skagit Farmers Supply Country Store (carvers and staff)
Swinomish Casino/Hotel • The Walnut Tree (Soroptimist International of Sedro-Woolley)
Village Concepts
Due to publication deadlines your name or organization may have been omitted. It will be appear on the Loggerodeo™ website and will also be announced at the Chainsaw Carving Competiton Awards Ceremony July 4th.
Event Locations & Race Route
EVENT LOCATIONS
A. Footrace Start & Finish
Any final decisions affecting the race will come closer to the event – please check our website for updates or call Kyle Rutherford at 360-856-4465.
B. Wood Carving Events
C. SW Museum Displays & Antique Tractors
BEST DEALS IN THE COUNTY
interviews, coronations, and school and charity events throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Canada as approved by the royalty directors and Sedro-Woolley Rodeo Board.
Kiddies Parade
The Kiddies Parade is for kids under 12! This is a great opportunity to celebrate the creativity of the city’s youth; the event has had about 25 participants per year in recent years but event organizers would welcome more participants. This year’s parade will take place on Tuesday, July 1 at 5 p.m. Please line up behind Lemley Chapel between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Judging will be handled by a community panel at 4:30 p.m. The parade lineup starts at Lemley Chapel then goes down Metcalf Street to Ferry Street. Parade categories include everything from decorated bicycles to logging. Children must be in control of their entry. The grand prize winner has the option to participate in the Grand Parade on July 4.
Please visit www.loggerodeo.org for the complete list of entry rules and to download your parade entry form. Same day registrants are welcome. Contact the Loggerodeo™ office at 360-770-8452 with questions.
Great Sedro-Woolley Footrace, Sponsored by Loggerodeo™ and SedroWoolley Rotary
The 48th annual Great Sedro-Woolley Footrace will be held on Friday, July 4 at 9:30 a.m. sharp. The 5.17-Mile Race and 2-Mile Fun Run/Walk are accurately-measured and well-policed, historically attracting 600+ participants each year. Both races travel along the Fourth
of July Grand Parade route. The middle section of the 5.17-mile race runs along the Skagit River while the 2-mile course goes to the 1-mile turnaround and returns to the start/finish line. Ribbons are awarded to the top three men and top three women in each race, and in 11 separate age categories.
The footrace has been a Rotary project for years; rotary members “man” the street corners along the race routes along with other organizational tasks. Long-time Sedro-Woolley Rotary board members, Brock Stiles and Kyle Rutherford, organize the event.
Pre-registration is highly encouraged: Visit www.sedrowoolleyfootrace.com to register and pay online. To pre-register and pay by mail visit www.loggerodeo. org or www.sedrowoolleyfootrace.com to download the registration form. Fill out the form and write a check to S-W Race, then mail to S-W Race, PO Box 704, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284. Be sure to mail it with enough time for delivery to be received by July 1. For pre-registration forms received on or before July 1, cost is $30 including a T-shirt, and $25 without a T-shirt. Participants 14 and under & over 70 are free without a T-shirt ($15 with a T-Shirt) but must still register to get a race tag.
Registration after July 1 and day of race: Cost is $30 without a T-shirt and T-shirts are $15 while supplies last.
If you want a T-shirt, it is a good idea to pre-register online at www. sedrowoolleyfootrace.com by 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 1.
Early check in to get your race tag will be held Thursday, July 3 from 4-6 p.m. at the high school gym. Day of race checkin and same day registration will be 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on July 4 in the parking
lot in front of the Sedro-Woolley High School gym.
Parking is available on the south side of the high school athletic field to avoid conflicts with parade activities. Please do not park in the gym parking lot. Call Kyle Rutherford at (360) 840-9379, Brock Stiles at (360) 855-0131, or email SedroWoolleyFootrace@gmail.com with any questions.
Sedro-Woolley Eagles Club FOE #2069 Events
Eagles Club parking lot: 1000 Metcalf Street
Call the Eagles Club at (360) 855-0530 for more event details
The Sedro-Woolley Eagles Club supports local agencies who protect and serve the community including police and firefighters, provides funding for
medical research in areas such as kidney disease, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s and raises money to donate to the local food banks, families in need, the boys and girls club, and academic and sports scholarships.
The Eagles Classic Car Show and BBQ:
Membership drive! Open to the public! The car show will be on Sunday, June 29 at 9 a.m. and will shut down south Metcalf Street from State Street. Registration begins at 6 a.m. and the cost is $15. Free to come enjoy the show! There will be prizes awarded by independent judges at 3 p.m., plus raffle tickets and a 50/50 drawing following the awards.
Enjoy a BBQ in the Eagles parking lot from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. There will be hamburgers, hot dogs, and chips for sale.
BBQ in the Parking Lot on July
Fourth:
The annual BBQ in the Parking Lot will be held on July 4 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. with hamburgers, hot dogs, and more for sale. There will be a mechanical bull from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and live music in the afternoon. Country band, Full Moon, will be playing between 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. A second band will be playing between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Street Dance, Sponsored by WECU
The 2025 Street Dance will be held Saturday, July 5 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the corner of Metcalf and Ferry streets at Hammer Heritage Square. We
hope to get a good crowd out to enjoy the music of County Rose!
Formed in 2023 by a diverse group of musicians who bonded over a common appreciation of country and americana music genres, County Rose is an eightpiece power-house band from Bellingham, Washington. County Rose prides itself on its appeal to a wide audience performing country standards from the 1960s to current day.
County Rose features Cote Hill and Carrie Beiber on vocals, Walker VanWingerden on acoustic guitar, Chris Glass on fiddle, Mike Pruess on pedal steel guitar, Steven Wayne on electric guitar, AJ Simmons on bass, and Kevin Chryst on drums.
Visit the band’s Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/CountyRoseBand/
Event Organizers, Volunteers, and Sponsors
The Loggerodeo™ is run by an all-volunteer team headed up by President Dottie Chandler who took over nine years ago. Tonia Smiley has been Vice President since 2020. Organizing the event is a 12-month commitment and the Loggerodeo™ depends heavily on community support - both financial and participatory - to keep it going. The festivities cost $85,000 to $100,000 to put on; paid for by personal and business donations and sponsorships, and money raised through the carnival, T-shirt sale, and Quick Carve auctions. The more T-shirts that are sold and the more that is bid on carvings, the more money is raised for the Loggerodeo™! The Sedro-Woolley Carving Championships are known to carvers around the world. Said Dottie, “The Sedro-Woolley Carving Championships are always in high demand. Carvers from all over the world ask to compete. We actually have a waiting list! This year, we are excited to welcome two new carvers.”
Thank you to this year’s confirmed event sponsors.
Major Sponsors:
• Oregon Tool
• Peoples Bank (Fireworks and People’s Choice-chainsaw carving)
• Sierra Pacific (Grand Parade)
• The Skagit Casino Resort (Fireworks)
• WECU (Street dance and Jr. Log Show)
• BYK Construction Inc., Farmer’s Equipment Co., Hampton Family Forests, Hwy. 20 Hometown Pharmacy, Janicki Industries, KAPS/KBRC (Beard and Mullet Contests), Oregon Tool.
• General Sponsors: Backspins, Carl’s Towing, Cascade Pizza Sedro-Woolley, E & E Lumber & Home Center, Fastenal, Forge & Nail, Janicki Logging Co., Keith Sorestad - State Farm Insurance Agent, Lemley Chapel, Les Schwab Tire Center of Sedro-Woolley, Northwest Propane, Oliver-Hammer Clothes Shop, Pacific Party Canopies, Rob Graham Trucking Inc., Shelly’s Shack / The Garage Café, Stiles & Lehr Inc., P.S. Attorneys at Law, Skagit Aggregates, LLC, Skagit Log and Construction Inc. (Logs for the Jr. Log Show), Skagit Publishing, Skagit Readymix, Sunset Storage, Wood’s Logging Supply.
• T-shirt sponsors: Skagit Farmers Supply Country Store (carvers and staff), Village Concepts, Judd & Black, Foothills Toyota, Freedom Entertainment Fireworks, Swinomish Casino/Hotel, The Walnut Tree (Soroptimist International of Sedro-Woolley), Honda of Burlington, and Cascade Natural Gas.
Check the Loggerodeo™ Facebook page and website for any sponsors who come in after publishing. Please contact the Loggerodeo™ at sedrowoolleyloggerodeo@frontier.com or 360-770-8452 to get involved or make a donation.
Meet the 2025 Carvers
The 2025 Chainsaw Carving Championship will include 15 world-class pro carvers from around the globe to compete against each other in this exciting four-day event. Steve Backus and Geoge Kenny will also be doing exhibition carving throughout the week! Meet the carvers in their bios.
Adrian Bois
Web: http://adrianbois.blogspot.com.ar
Facebook: /adrianboisart/
Phone: +54 3447 51-2290
E-mail: bois@live.com.ar
Adrian Bois is a professional chainsaw carver from Villa Elisa, Entre Ríos, Argentina. He studied electronics, engineering, administration, and international trade at different universities as he searched for the right direction. During this time, he was introduced to carving by making wooden toys, which led him to meeting chainsaw carving colleagues. He had found his calling. Today, he creates custom chainsaw art for companies, public entities, and individuals and conducts wood carving demonstrations and workshops. He also participates in chainsaw carving events and tours around the world. On his 2023 carving tour he visited several locations in Argentina, Germany, and the USA, including the Loggerodeo™’s Chainsaw Carving Championship, returning to Sedro-Woolley in 2024.
Alexandru Pricob
Phone: 206-605-4169
Facebook: /alex.pricob.5/
E-mail: Alexdoesart82@gmail.com
Alex was born and raised in a small village in the Eastern European country of Moldova. He was an artist from an early age, starting with a love of drawing cartoon characters. In later years he expanded into oil painting on canvas. In 2007, he moved his family to the United States in search of a better life, settling in Renton, Washington for almost 20 years. In December, 2016, Alex and former business partner Don Benson opened a shop in McKenna, WA, east of Yelm, to carve and sell their art. Since his move to Yelm in early 2025, he has opened his own studio.
“In the summer of 2009, I went to a wood carving show in Ocean Shores and fell in love with what I saw. I went home and tried to do some wood carvings myself, and I thought they turned out very good. Since then, I have been carving sculptures out of lumber, using the chainsaw,” he said. Over the years, Alex has participated in many street fairs, wood carving shows and
prestigious competitions, where he has won several awards, including second place in the semi-pro division in Ocean Shores; first place for the most money maker; and first place for the quick carve. In 2015, he won second place for carvings bringing in the most money at the carving festival in Arlington, Washington. He took second place overall in Reedsport in 2024 plus first place in the quick carve. He also earned first place in the quick carve at Sedro-Woolley in 2024.
“I am very excited to come back to Sedro-Woolley this year. I am ready to kick butt! I love the competitive talk with the other carvers – it adds color to the competition!”, he said.
Bob King
Web: www.chainsawking.com
Facebook: /ChainsawKing
Phone: 253-686-8983
E-mail: Bob@chainsaw-art.com
Bob started carving in the fall of 1998 after seeing a local carver at the fair. He worked at Boeing and carved on the side until he was laid off in 2000, which prompted his move into full-time carving. More or less a self-taught carver, Bob continues to grow in this art form by learning from other artists and pushing himself to try new things. Bob carves anything from realistic wildlife sculptures to scenes from life as he sees them.
Bob is the owner of Bear Necessities Sculpture, LLC where he keeps busy filling orders for both private and corporate customers. King entered his first competition after carving only three bears and has been competing ever since. Bob was one of the original members of the Echo-USA Carving Team; having been asked to join in 2005. King is the main carver for Burton Snowboards, handling their custom jumps for snowboard runs. He has traveled to Daytona for Bike Week, carved at the Pocono 500 in Pennsylvania, participated in Harley Davidson’s 105th anniversary celebration in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and worked in conjunction with Lucas Films and Disney.
In 2010, Bob was honored with a star in the Carvers Walk of Fame in Mulda, Germany for winning more competitions than anyone in the world! Bob was honored with a fourth-place award for Best Overall Carver in the 2014 Loggerodeo™ carving competition. His winning carving was then purchased by the Loggerodeo™ and donated as a memorial to the town of Oso for the mudslide. He has been invited to represent the United States in competitions in Germany, England, Scotland, Denmark, Holland, and Canada. He lives in Edgewood, Washington and carves all around the United States while not at home or traveling abroad. You can follow his travels on both his website and Facebook page.
Brandon Kroon
Web: www.bkcarving.com
Facebook: /BKCarving/
Instagram: /bkcarving/
E-mail: brandon@bkcarving.com
Phone: 04+30732289
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Brandon Kroon has been passionate about creating, fixing, and working with his hands ever since he could remember. He entered the chainsaw carving and sculpting scene in 2013. Through his business, BK Carving, he has created a wide selection of artworks, projects, and commissions throughout Australia.
Finding his own personal style in the industry, Brandon is grateful to regularly compete internationally. He has competed and placed in a number of international competitions since 2014, with his most recent achievements being:
- 1st Place and Carvers Choice award -U.S. Open International Carving Competition, 2022.
- 2nd Place and Carvers Choice award, Loggerodeo™ Chainsaw carving competition, Sedro-Woolley, WA, USA, 2024.
Brandon is passionate about pursuing a high level of creativity, originality, and quality through his sculptures by exploring an array of subjects from wildlife to human form and environmental sculpture, through to mechanical, geometric, and abstract themes.
“2024 was my first time competing in the Sedro-Woolley Loggerodeo™, and it’s been marked on my calendar ever since. I can’t wait to get back to beautiful Sedro-Woolley this year and put my absolute best carving efforts on display,” Brandon shared.
Chris Foltz
Web: https://chrisfoltzsculptures. wordpress.com/
Facebook: /devinesculptures
Instagram: /chefchainsaw/
Phone: 503-929-9719
E-mail: Chefchainsaw@yahoo.com
Chris Foltz grew up in Hagerstown, Maryland but now lives in North Bend, Oregon with his wife and four sons. In the 2014 Chainsaw Carving Championships he was honored with the People’s Choice and Best Overall Carver award. He is a competitive wood and ice power sculptor and a Chef instructor at OCCI. Foltz paid his own way through
post-secondary, graduating with dual degrees in baking and cooking from Baltimore International Culinary College.
Chris started out making ice sculptures through his work as a chef about 15 years ago. In April, 2005 Chris took three days of formal ice sculpting instruction from Mike Vosburg in Richmond, VA. Three months later he entered his first competition, the Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Sculpting Championship in Reedsport OR., where he won “rookie” of the year. Now, Chris is the only professional sculptor that is competing in both wood and ice at a world-class level, averaging twelve competitions a year and regularly placing in the top ranks. He has also been influenced by iconic individuals including Bob and Cindy King who were the first and most important to influence Chris as a sculptor.
Foltz is best known for his designs of original characters, comic book heroes, large animals of imagination, re-creations of strange animals and sculptures of children. Said Chris, “We always completely enjoy our time in Sedro-Woolley! My family has been lucky enough to be part of the show for years. The best artists and a great organization for the show. The town is fantastic as well.”
Constantin Morari
Facebook: /pg/constantincarving/posts/
E-mail: costel.morari@gmail.com
Phone: 530-551-6343
Born in Moldova, Constantin is now a custom wood carver from Sacramento, California. Constantin won first place in the semi-pro division of the 19th annual Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Carving Championship.
Said Constantin, “I had a passion for the arts since I was a young child, so I attended an art school in my home country. My second passion has always been animals and after I moved to the U.S., I was able to combine these two passions into wood carving. My good friend Alexandru Pricop mentored me and I have been carving for several years now. I am now happy to be able to provide carving lessons through my business. As a full-time pro-carver, I work in flat wood and 3D and I also try to combine sculpture and painting as much as possible. I like to represent nature and its beauty, animals, and moments from their daily life: movement, moods, and their ordinary behaviors. Carving inspires me to want more from life and helps me express my feelings. I carve wood and wood “carves me” into a better person. I look forward to carving new works full of inspiration at this year’s championships. I am excited to participate!”
Garrett has been carving for 15 plus years. He does onsite jobs as well as custom work out of George Kenny’s shop in Allyn, Washington. This will be Garrett’s third year carving at the Sedro-Woolley event. In prior competitions, he has taken fifth in the quick carve twice. “I really enjoy coming to Sedro to be amongst very talented carvers who have become very close friends. I really enjoy how the community comes together to put on a great event. I grew up in a small town and coming to Sedro gives me that hometown feeling. I’m very thankful to be here to compete another year”, he shared.
Denny Henson
Facebook: /denny.henson/ Phone: 425-923-0268
E-mail: dennyhenson86@gmail.com
Denny started carving as a hobby in 2014 after taking a class at the George Kenny School of Chainsaw Carving.
In 2023, after 20 years as an Electrical Engineer, Denny retired from engineering and moved from Washington to Idaho to pursue chainsaw carving full time. He has competed in Oregon, Washington, and Montana, placing 2nd at the Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Carving Championship and top honors at the Mission Valley Chainsaw Carving Rendezvous in 2024. He enjoys carving mostly wildlife and caricature type animals. Denny is excited to return to the Sedro-Woolley Chainsaw Carving Championships. “I appreciate the invite to the Sedro Woolley competition. I consider this a prestigious show and will be competing against some of the best carvers in the world,” he said.
Jacob Lucas
Web: www.jacoblucascarving.com
Facebook: /Jacoblucascarving-103495724355118/
Phone: 253-223-1432
E-mail: carveandburn@yahoo.com
Jacob Lucas, a resident of Bonney Lake, Washington, has been carving since 2004. An artist his whole life, he has been drawing since the age of five. Throughout the years he has worked in many mediums such as drawing, clay sculpting, digital design, glass blowing, and now, chainsaw art.
Carving became a dream of his when his grandmother would buy the cute carved bears at the local fair. At age 13, he thought it was something he could do, so he saved his money and purchased a small saw. His dreams were cut short because two weeks later his new saw was stolen from his garage. Being only 13, he pretty much wrote off trying to become a carver until 11 years later when his grandmother read an article in the paper about a carver and reminded him of his dream so long ago.
She offered to buy him a saw and from then on, he was hooked. A few years in, he decided to try competition, entering the Reedsport divisional in Oregon and taking 2nd place in the semi-pro division. Coming back the next year, he entered as a pro and took 8th place amongst 30 of the best carvers in the world. He went to the Huskycup in Germany to represent the U.S. with teammate, Bob King, and together they took second place out of seven other competing countries. He also has many awards from the Sedro-Woolley Carving Championships: 3rd place in the main event and Carvers’ Choice in 2018; 2nd place in the 2019 main event; and 2nd place Quick Carve and Quick Carve highest total in 2022.
Jacob carves full time and takes custom orders. He has spent many summers sculpting a total of 30 trees over twelve feet tall for the city of Bridgeport in Eastern Washington and he has a 10-foot nutcracker in the town square of Leavenworth, Washington.
Jamie Doeren
Web: www.jamiedoeren.com and www.freedomartstudios.com
Facebook: /profile.php?id=61568941297608
Etsy Shop: BigBearCarvingCo
Phone: 920-562-0002
E-mail: Doerenj@gmail.com
With over 27 years of experience in sculpture, Jamie Doeren is a talented artist, with an ever-growing list of accomplishments and artistic achievements. He began experimenting with the craft in 1989 after years working as a small-engine mechanic. With persistent practice and growing skill, his work became increasingly realistic, eventually attracting attention and buyers, marking the start of his career as a self-taught master chainsaw sculptor.
Jamie is credited with the creation of the United Chainsaw Carver’s Guild in 2002, going on to write two books on chainsaw carving: “Chainsaw Carving a Bear – A Complete Step-By-Step Guide” in 2003 and “Chainsaw Carving an Eagle” with Dennis Roghair in 2004. He has
become a respected contender in several international chainsaw carving competitions, winning three world championships and four national titles.
Jamie has spent significant time in Europe collaborating with master sculptors, refining his craft and expanding his skills across various mediums—including stone, clay, ice, snow, sand, life casting, welding, and blacksmithing. Driven by a passion for learning and teaching, Jamie offers quarterly chainsaw carving classes at his Abrams studio and occasionally teaches in Germany.
Today, Jamie and his wife (and fellow chainsaw artist), Lisa, operate a very successful sculpture business and gallery in Abrams, WI. He is currently in the process of expanding his outdoor gallery to include a sculpture garden that will display his works of art in the scenic, quiet beauty of a lush garden setting. He has a wide array of original sculpture pieces ranging from rustic, cabin-inspired pieces to more modern, abstract creations.
Jamie and Lisa also operate Freedom Arts Studios, located in beautiful Big Bear Lake, California. The studio was founded by the couple’s late son, Zachary Doeren, in 2023. Zach passed away unexpectedly in October of 2024 and Lisa and Jamie are continuing his legacy by keeping their son’s beloved shop open.
Lisa Doeren
Web: www.jamiedoeren.com and www. freedomartstudios.com
Facebook: /profile.php?id=61568941297608
Etsy Shop: BigBearCarvingCo
Phone: 920-562-2245
E-mail: lisadoeren@gmail.com
Still relatively new to the chainsaw carving scene, Lisa Doeren has been carving full-time for about 11 years. She was introduced to chainsaw sculpture initially through her husband, Jamie Doeren; however, it was actually another female chainsaw carver that ignited her passion for chainsaw carving when she convinced her to pick up a saw and gave Lisa her first lesson. Chainsaw carving began as a hobby, but as she continued to learn new patterns and participate in more events, it became more and more evident that this is what she was meant to do. In June of 2014, at the prodding of her husband, she finally took the leap and decided to leave her corporate office job to pursue her passion and help build and expand their family business - “Sculpture by Doeren / Big Bear Carving Company. “
Since leaving the corporate world, Lisa’s been able to devote much more time to carving and becoming a better artist in general. Although she has a great deal of natural talent, she credits much of her success to the continuous help and support of her husband, Jamie, who maintains her saws, sharpens her chain, and generally keeps her well-equipped to carve - wherever they go. Together they make a great team and are enjoying building a business where they can travel together and share their passion for chainsaw carving.
Jamie and Lisa also operate Freedom Arts Studios, located in beautiful Big Bear Lake, California. The studio was founded by the couple’s late son, Zachary Doeren, in 2023. Zach passed away unexpectedly in October of 2024 and Lisa and Jamie are continuing his legacy by keeping their son’s beloved shop open.
Mark Colp
Facebook: /mark.colp
E-mail: markcolp@hotmail.com
Mark Colp was born in Alberta, Canada and is proud to make chainsaw wood sculpting his life. He became a professional chainsaw sculptor right out of high school and has over 40 years’ experience in the business. Mark has a long list of accomplishments and is an award-winning wood sculptor with a shop in Lakeport, California. His many awards include winning the chainsaw carving invitational grand championship in New Mexico in 2013; winning the Redwood Regional in Ukiah, California in 2014; and first place at Reedsport Oregon 2015 Albuquerque Fiesta Cup.
Mark was featured on seven out of 10 episodes of the reality show “Saw Dogs” that aired in Canada, the USA, Latin America, and Mexico. He also worked on a TV reality series for Carver Kings that began airing in 2015. Mark’s satisfaction in carving comes from the happiness that he is able to bring his customers through his art. His favorite sculptures are nautical themes and marine animals. Said Mark, “It’s my passion to create beautiful sculptures from wood that everyone enjoys. I love competing with some of my best buds and watching their awesome ability to create.”
Nick Bielby
Facebook: /nicklbywoodcarving Phone: 360-477-7229
Nick Bielby has been carving for eight years and 2025 marks his sixth year competing at the Sedro-Woolley chainsaw carving championships. Nick has carved at several other competitions on the West Coast. In 2019 he placed first in the semi-pro division in Reedsport, which got him invited to Sedro-Woolley. Nick now has his own carving store in Port Angeles where his works are on display. Said Bielby, “I love to carve mostly wildlife and also enjoy competing in the carving world. I look forward to where carving will take me. Some people see a log laying on the ground. I see a bear or dragon. I’ve discovered that a chainsaw can work much like a paintbrush, and wood is canvas.”
Growing up in Reedsport, Oregon, Ryan displayed artistic abilities. He was introduced to chainsaw carving just shortly after turning 16 and became hooked on the art. Today he is a pro chainsaw sculptor, pumpkin sculptor, a member of the Makita carving team USA, and the Food Network’s Season 2 Outrageous Pumpkins champion. Ryan started his chainsaw carving career in June of 2005 after being apprenticed by Tracie Brittenfield of Packwood, Washington. After graduating from Reedsport High School in 2007, Ryan began carving full time and attending more competitions. Ryan worked under Mark Colp during the winters of 2007 through 2011 learning more of the trade, which was hugely beneficial to Ryan’s sculpting career.
Ryan began as one of the youngest amongst his competitors, quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with. During his pro career, Ryan has earned many awards. Some of his most recent include 1st place and the People’s Choice award at the 2021 Sedro-Woolley Chainsaw Carving Championships. In 2021 he also earned 1st place, People’s Choice, and Carver’s Choice awards at the Reedsport Chainsaw Carving Championships. In 2021, he was named champion of the Food Network’s “Outrageous Pumpkins” carving competition. He has competed in many international events including the English Open where he took second place.
Anderson is the performing artist for Sculptures in Motion. He was a highlighted carver on the reality show “Saw-Dogs.” In 2009 at the age of just 20, Ryan was invited to represent top of the line power equipment manufacturer Husqvarna. To this day Ryan creates “one-of-a-kind experiences” with inspiring sculptures using Husqvarna’s power tools.
Anderson enjoys a good challenge and using his imagination to come up with some very unique pieces of art. He also enjoys inspiring his fellow artists with his skills and techniques to help others learn the craft. Ryan credits his success to the selfless dedication of his family, friends, and many of his fellow carvers that were willing to inspire him and help guide him along the way.
This is Woody’s first time competing at the Sedro-Woolley Chainsaw Carving Championships. Located in Raeford, NC, Woody has been chainsaw carving since 2015, saying he “…was instantly hooked. I hope every piece I create will make smiles and inspire. I thank God for this opportunity!” In addition to his business, Woody has participated in many benefits and competitions.
Woody specializes in custom carvings, including free-standing and on-site tree stumps, dogs, bears, and magical creatures. He sells some of his smaller pieces at Mountain Mike’s Whetstone Woodworks in Maggie Valley, NC, among others.
Sedro-Woolley Museum Voted Skagit’s Best Museum in 2024!
TheSedro-Woolley Museum has been a special part of the Sedro-Woolley community for more than 30 years. The museum celebrates the city’s evolution from its frontier origins to the present day, making it a beloved resource for both Sedro-Woolley locals and visitors from around the country and the world. JoEllen Kesti was elected as museum board president and executive director in November, 2022. She, alongside equally passionate board members and volunteers, aim to keep the museum alive for many generations to come.
The museum volunteers work to refresh and add new exhibits every year to keep things interesting. This year, the team is working on the expansion of the Skagit Steel exhibit. “We’ve moved the Skagit Steel exhibit from the back of the museum to the front, and we’re working on a complete overhaul to better showcase its major contributions to our community. We’re currently working with Don Wudtke, a retired Skagit engineer and holder of multiple patents, to help bring the exhibit to life,” shared Kesti. Museum volunteers continue to build on last year’s exterior remodel. The museum’s exterior was updated and repainted, and the outdoor artifacts were organized and relocated to the south side of the building for easier viewing. “Thanks to a generous donation from Sedro-Woolley Rotary, our outdoor snubber will be repainted, and new signage will be installed to help visitors learn more about the artifacts on display. In addition, through the generosity of Dan Sims, we’ve been able to purchase and preserve the vintage Herb’s Chevron gas pumps in memory
of his father, Vern Sims,” Kesti said.
The museum entrance features Carnegie light pillars, memorabilia from the old library, and exhibits including a photography collection by Darius Kinsey and Frank LaRoche. Kesti invites visitors to explore the interactive Main Street with a vintage post office and old-fashioned newspaper office, step inside the jail for a mugshot, belly up to the bar in the saloon, and head in to “make a deposit” at the bank. Discover the history of logging, railroads, military service, and local industry, including the upcoming new Skagit Steel gallery. Guests can also learn about the Upper Skagit Tribe’s heritage, the founding fathers and early pioneers who laid the foundation for Sedro-Woolley, and enjoy the expanded Northern State Hospital exhibit.
“Our dedicated volunteers are working diligently to digitize our research library collection, ensuring it is preserved for future generations and easily accessible for those conducting research. As a result of this work, we are making it easier for the public to access archival materials, including photographs, maps, newspapers, and more,” said Kesti.
This will help researchers and families uncover answers about the area’s history and past community members.
The museum’s gift shop offers unique, history-inspired items that let visitors take a piece of Woolley heritage home with them. Purchasing from the shop also helps support the board’s efforts to preserve and share Sedro-Woolley history.
Featured Events
The museum sponsors many special events that offer a variety of experiences for the community to enjoy. Check the museum’s website, or follow its Facebook or Instagram pages for upcoming monthly events.
Armed Forces Day Celebration
Date: Saturday, May 17
Time: 1 p.m.
Enjoy special presentations. For the Love of Northern State
Dates: Friday, June 6 & Saturday, June 7
Time: TBD
Join the museum for its 2nd annual celebration of Northern State Hospital’s history!
• “History in the Headlines” with Amy Muia – fun and fascinating stories from old hospital newspapers
• A special evening discussion with stakeholders about the Northern State Cemetery and future plans
• Outdoor tours of the historic grounds with guide, John Horne
Full schedule coming soon—Check the Sedro-Woolley Museum website and follow its social media pages for updates!
Save the Date! Founders’ Day Auction
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Check the Sedro-Woolley Museum website and follow its social media pages for updates and event details!
Halloween
Date: October 31, 2025, Time: noon to 5:30 p.m.
The museum will be open until after the Children’s Halloween Parade to hand out candy to the kids. Cookies, Cocoa, and Clues with Santa Date: December 13, 2025
Time: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Stop by anytime between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. for a scavenger hunt with special guest: Santa. Cookies and cocoa will also be served. Parents are welcome to take pictures of their kids visiting with Santa in the photo booth. Check the museum website or social media pages for more information.
Save the Date! Festival of Wreaths
Date: December 13, 2025
Time: TBD
Check the Sedro-Woolley Museum website and follow its social media pages for event details!
Annual Membership Drive
Date: March
The Sedro-Woolley Museum’s annual membership drive has been moved to March (from January), but people are welcome to join in person or online throughout the year.
Stay tuned for more Spring events.
Contact Information
Website: www.sedrowoolleymuseum.org (The museum upgraded its old website in 2024 and got back its original domain.)
