Ax anyone
The Toledo Summer Festival & Logging Show is the place to be this weekend
Everyone remembers being told not to run with scissors as a child. Chainsaws on the other hand — Mom never said anything about running with chainsaws.
The chainsaw steeple chase is just one of the eye-popping attractions at this weekend’s Toledo Summer Festival & Logging Show, alongside a carnival, Main Street parade and a Saturday night fireworks display.
The festivities get underway on Thursday, July 13, with the Sidewalk Chalk Contest on Main Street. Participants can pick up chalk at Bank of the West and work on their masterpieces from 10 am to 3 pm when judging begins. Winners will be announced after the Summer Festival Queen’s Coronation, scheduled for 7 pm at Toledo’s Memorial Field.
Friday, July 14, sees the start of the festival proper, with a kids’ parade from the library along Main Street at 6 pm. Kids aged one to 12 are invited to dress up in bright clothing, bring their bikes, dogs or favorite toys and join the procession to Memorial Field.
Once the parade arrives at the field, the festival will be open for business, with a carnival, food and craft vendors, bingo and a beer garden. Entertainment will include a stilt walker from 7 to 9 pm, followed by a performance from the Sol Fire Dancers at 9:30 pm.
On Saturday at 11 am, the Grand Parade will begin at Muggly’s Bowling and finish at the end of Main Street, where the gates to the festival will open for a second day of fun.
Saturday is also when the crowd will get revved up for the chainsaw steeplechase and the many other events that make up the Logging Show.
The amateur-only event celebrates Toledo’s timber heritage with events including the Axe Throw, Obstacle Pole, Double Buck, Wrapper Throw, Block Toss and the Jack & Jill double-handed saw contest.
The show starts at 2 pm. The cost to enter is $5 per event and there are cash prizes for the winners. For more information, call Grant at 541-270-8461.
Saturday entertainment will include a performance from Wild West variety show Americana Mayhem at 7 pm, followed by family line dancing at 8 pm. The evening will come to a grand climax at 10 pm with a fireworks display.
The festival will continue through Sunday, with attractions including a magic show at 10 am and a tug-of-war tournament at 1 pm.
The Toledo Summer Festival & Logging Show takes place at Memorial Field, located on NW A Street between Industrial Way and NW 1st Street.
Entry buttons are available for sale around town at $10 for three days or $8 for one day.
Festival schedule
Thursday, July 13
10 am: Main Street Sidewalk Chalk Contest
7 pm: Queen’s Coronation at Memorial Field
Friday, July 14
6 pm: Kids’ Parade begins at Toledo Public Library
6 pm: Festival opens
7-9 pm: Stilt Walker
9:30 pm: Sol Fire Dancers
Saturday, July 15
11 am: Grand Parade begins at Muggly’s Bowling
Noon: Festival opens
2 pm: Logging Show
7 pm: Americana Mayhem
8 pm: Family Line Dancing
10 pm: Fireworks display
Sunday, July 16
10 am: Festival opens
10 am: Magic Show
1 pm: Tug-of-War Tournament
5 pm: Festival closes