Lumberjacks to compete at July 4th celebration

A lumberjack show featuring fast action, skilled performers and lots of laughs will be the main attraction at the Gillett Fourth of July celebration. “It’s very family friendly. Anyone from a toddler to 100 years old will enjoy the show,” said Suzanne Hastedt-Hadley, general manager of DLW Timberworks Lumberjack Show. The Hayward company will present the show at 4, 6 and 8 p.m. in the grandstand at Zippel Park. The Lumberjack Show will include all the events of a timber sports competition: log rolling, cross cut sawing, hot sawing, axe throwing, chainsaw carving and chopping, speed pole climbing and an obstacle pole relay race. “I think the absolute fan favorite will be the log rolling,” Hastedt-Hadley said. A water tank will be set up for the contest, which involves two lumberjacks standing on and rolling a floating log, trying to send each other splashing into the water. The speed-climbing competition is a close second, she said. Competitors scale a 45-foot pole, racing up and down in 15 seconds. “It’s absolutely amazing!” she said. According to Hastedt-Hadley, participants in the show compete at the collegiate level in timber sports; none are working lumberjacks. Some are Hayward natives, while others hail from other parts of the U.S. Each show will last about 45 minutes. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children. The Fourth of July celebration also includes a parade and car show on July 4 and a tractor and truck pull on July 3. Admission for the pull is $7 for adults and $4 for children 10 and under. The Gillett Civic Club sponsors the Fourth of July celebration, and profits from the event are returned to the community. “We have been averaging around $10,000 a year in charitable contributions to organizations and groups in Gillett,” said Noel Nienstedt, chairman of the Fourth of July Committee. Gillett Civic Club earns its revenue from the Fourth of July celebration and the Oconto County Fair food stand. Nienstedt said costs increase every year for food, fireworks and entertainment, yet the celebration remains strong. “We couldn’t do it without the fantastic contributions from the community,” he said.