The second day of the 65^th Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree was a rousing success. The weather was wonderful, with temps in the mid 80s. The sun was out and the crowds did shift around in order to take full advantage of the shade from the trees in and around the arena. Compared to last years jamboree, where the temperature was flirting with triple digits, it was the best weather possible for this time of year.

The day began with the annual North Fork Lions club pancake breakfast, held at the historic town hall. Attendance was high, and everyone enjoyed the yearly tradition.

The gates to The Recreation Center opened at 10 am, and there was already a line of cars waiting to enter when I arrived. Parking was plentiful, and volunteers had already been at work, watering the dirt road that leads in as well as the parking lot and the vendors village on the hill which helped to keep the dust to a minimum.

The arena was filled with contestants who stood in line in order to get a little more practice with their axes, waiting for a chance to use the target. Spectators milled around, visiting the multiple food and merchandise vendors on the hill above the arena.

The days events kicked off at noon, with Paul Vining and Justin McAleece announcing. Paul took a moment to recognize Kevin Severe, born and raised in North Fork, for his many years of service to our country in the Air Force.

The national anthem was sung by a wonderful group of local musicians known as Sugar Pine.

The logging based competition is a long standing tradition in the town of North Fork, having begun in 1959 as an addition to an already yearly event known as the Spring Carnival. The North Fork Boosters had just purchased the land where the Recreation Center was built, and needed a way to pay back the loan, which had been procurred by 3 local residents. The addition of the logging competition to the carnival was the answer.

Yesterday this 65 year old tradition continued, with a full slate of competiters. Mens, womens and several coed events were held throughout the afternoon. Choker Setting, Stock Power Saw, Axe Throwing, Double Bucking, Ladies Axe Throwing, Jack and Jill Bucking, Speed Axe Throwing, Ladies Power Saw, Hand Chopping, Hot Power Saw, Tree Falling and Log Birling.

The standings were as follows:

Choker Setting

1^st – Nate Hodges

2^nd – Kai Hansen

3^rd – Jerry Hodges

4^th – JB Thornburg

Stock Power Saw

1^st – Pat Hodges

2^nd – Nate Hodges

3^rd – Jessie Hutchens

4^th – David McDonald

Axe Throwing

1^st – Nate Hodges

2^nd – Jerry Hodges

3^rd – Dale Tex

4^th – Bill Davis

Double Bucking

1^st – Nate Hodges/Jerry Hodges

2^nd – JB Thornburg/Jorge Perez

3^rd – Jessie Hutchens Jr./Jessie Hutchens Sr.

4^th – Justin Wilson/Zack Montgomery

Ladies Axe Throwing

1^st – Lani Owen

2^nd – Jessie Jansen

3^rd – Natori Naylor

4^th – Amanda Hodges

Jack and Jill Bucking

1^st – Nate Hodges/Lani Owen

2^nd – Vince Gomez/Ashley Pamona

3^rd – Kai Hansen/Frankie Daumberger

4^th – Justin Wilson/Kiera Vincent

Speed Axe Throwing

1^st – Nate Hodges

2^nd – Zack Montgomery

3^rd – Jerry Hodghes

4^th – Justin Wilson

Ladies Power Saw

1^st – Lani Owen

2^nd – April Jansen-Holt

3^rd – Jacey Gonzalez

4^th – Ahsley Pomona

Hand Chopping

1^st – Nate Hodges

2^nd – JB Thornburg

3^rd – Burl Wade

4^th – Jerry Hodges

Hot Power Saw

1^st – Nate Hodges

2^nd – Tim Elming

3^rd – Zack Montgomery

4^th – Jerry Hodges

Log Birling

1^st – Jerry Hodges

2^nd – Nate Hodges

3^rd – Burl Wade

4^th – Lonny Owen

Based on point accumulation, the overall Jamboree champion was Nate Hodges, with Jerry Hodges taking second, and JB Thornburg taking third.

The gate prize winners, based on a random drawing of presale ticket stubs by the jamboree queen:

1^st – Chris Menezes of Oakhurst – $1,000

2^nd – Bob Lyle of Bass Lake – Millers Landing Pary Boat Package

3^rd – Kathleen Homis of Fresno – $200

This years jamboree court winners and their sponsors:

Queen – Mia Garcia, South Fork Forest Solutions

Junior Princess – Avery Hodges, Rebelz Coffee

Junior Logger – Brother team, Liam and Luke Guizar, The North Fork Pizza Factory

Litte Logger – Arbor Hodges, Yosemite Axe Throwing

Litte Princess – Brynless Russell, Buckhorn Saloon & Restaurant

On Wednesday I’ll be publishing a follow up article with the details of how each event is scored and the rules, the entrance fees for the events, as well as how the prize money is awarded to the winners.