Tigerton hosts Lumberjack Days again

Visitors were given the opportunity to return to Tigerton Lumberjack Days as the village hosted its 55th event Aug. 27-29.

“This event seems to keep the community together,” said Tigerton resident Dorian Hirt. “It is a big interest for everyone.”

The event was canceled last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic raged on across the country.

“It is absolutely awesome that people are able to get back together,” said Theresa Stenson, who is originally from Tigerton. “People are meant to be together.”

The event kicked off Friday with a beanbag tournament. On Saturday, individual competitors were pitted against each other in a strongman/woman contest. Visitors were then treated to a corn roast. The major draw came on Sunday, as visitors gathered along Cedar Street to watch the annual parade. The parade was followed up by the lumberjack competition, bucket raffles and music from The Drovers.

“We have had great support and a great turnout for the entire weekend,” said Tigerton Lumberjack Days President Wally Breitenfeldt. “There has mainly been a positive reaction from visitors this weekend.”

Children also had the opportunity to be involved with event, as bounce houses were a big draw for families.

“I think that our favorite part has been the bounce houses,” said Stenson.

Face-painting and balloon animals were also offered for children, as many walked away with a balloon giraffe or a face painted like a tiger.

Breitenfeldt said that this year’s event is similar to the events in the past in terms of attendance. Although it rained for some of the weekend, he said that did not play a factor in keeping the event going.

“We had rain, but not during the day,” said Breitenfeldt. “We are limited with our space, but it didn’t rain until the nights. So we were able to hold all of the scheduled events.”

Breitenfeldt agreed with Stenson in that seeing visitors come to the park for the weekend event has been encouraging.

“People had to make that choice if they wanted to come to the park or not,” said Breitenfeldt. “For the most part, it has been good; we have had a lot of good support and a lot of people have come out.”

He said that the support for the event was so good that people were staying at the event past midnight on Friday and Saturday nights.

Breitenfeldt said that Tigerton Lumberjack Days has a major impact upon the village as a whole.

“Every dollar goes back into the community,” said Breitenfeldt. “We put the money back into youth baseball, summer recreation and improvements to village parks. We also do scholarships for the kids and a lot of different things like that. That’s the idea; that’s what we want to do.”

The original Tigerton Lumberjack Days started out 55 years ago as a small corn roast. The event has grown to include all the contests, raffles and a parade.

“It has evolved since I have been involved with the event,” said Breitenfeldt. “We are always looking for new ideas.”

He said in order for the event to continue to evolve and expand, volunteers are needed.

Another impact on Tigerton that Breitenfeldt mentioned was that it helps get people to experience what Tigerton has to offer.

“I hope that this event helps people understand Tigerton,” said Breitenfeldt. “Our community has evolved. I saw a lot of people that I don’t know. A lot of people come from all over.”

Breitenfeldt said that, for some, this event acts as a family reunion.

“People are going to compete in these contests,” said Breitenfeldt. “But, they are here to have fun and socialize with everyone. That is the joy of it.”

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com