NORTH FORK, Calif. (KMPH) -
This weekend strong men and women got to live the lumberjack life. The annual Loggers Jamboree celebrates a heritage that no longer exists in the foothill community of North Fork.
This is the 53rd year loggers have made chain saws sing in the land of tall trees. Madera County Supervisor Tom Wheeler says the jamboree has a two-fold purpose. "We're keeping the logging tradition going and secondly this rec center is for our kids in our community here. Everything is free. They have a swimming pool, they have lifeguards, they have games, they have softball, baseball, basketball."
It's amazing what these guys with Popeye arms can do with a powerful chain saw. They begin by punching a whole in the center of the log. Then they cut the top half and then the bottom half. It's no easy feat.
One of the more popular events at the jamboree is the axe throw. Jim Taylor makes a living selling big hand saws but he still likes to compete. "I've thrown the axe at least seven or eight times since then and the funny part was I wasn't aiming at the bull's-eye. I was aiming about a foot to the left."
North Fork used to be a logging community but the saw mill has been silent for years. Jamboree organizer Jessie Hutchens says the community will always be proud of its past. It's very important to keep our logging heritage going. This is a huge logging community. My father was in logging for 45 years. "The loggers jamboree isn't just for guys. The ladies can hold their own tossing an axe."
The Logger's Jamboree started in 1959 to raise money for the recreation center. 53 years later the event is still funding summer programs for kids.
