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Feature_article__Lumbermans_Picnic

Feature Article July 4

Feature Article July 4 , 2003

LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb Home

Cloyne Historical Society "Lumberman's Picnic"Cloyne On Saturday, August 9, this area will be buzzing with activity, as the Cloyne and District Historical Society holds a Lumbermans Picnic in conjunction with its grand opening of the expanded Pioneer Museum. Over the past year, a sizeable extension has been added to the museum, and the day will be dedicated to that accomplishment.

Between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. there will be continuous on-stage entertainment, featuring local talented singers and dancers, cloggers, and the Glee Club. Displays of antique equipment and automobiles will be set up, and inside the Barrie Township Hall, one will be able to watch old-time crafts and textiles being manufactured with century-dated artefacts. Meanwhile, out on the grounds surrounding the museum, there will be fun activities such as a tug of war, crosscut log sawing, log splitting, nail hammering and relay races.

BBQ pork on a bun will be the mainstay meal offering; attendees will be able to participate in an old-fashioned afternoon tea and fancies; and raffle tickets will be sold throughout the day. At 2 p.m., the official opening will take place, with various dignitaries on hand for the ceremonies.

Moving up to the Cloyne Ball Field, the games will get a bit more serious, although organizers stressed that the Loggers Challenge is open to everyone, professional or amateur. Here, registration starts at 10 AM, with an entry fee of only $2. The function runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it includes chainsaw classes of 0-40cc, 40-50cc, 50-60cc, 60-70cc, 70-80cc, and 80+cc. Additionally, the chain saw event will include modifieds, antique and supplied saw competitions. Competitors will be required to wear chainsaw chaps or pants, as well as eye and ear protection. For those with an artistic bent, they will be vying for honours in chair carving. Not all things are mechanically-based, however, as organizers have put together crosscut and Swede saw challenges, an axe throw, and a chainsaw throw, with a saw being provided.

Hunters Creek Golf Course will be the location for a third site of activity, and here, there will be what has been described as a friendly horseshoe tournament. The entry fee is $5, and organizers are asking pitchers to pre-register. At 9 a.m. on August 9, teams will be drawn.

Years ago, back when lumbering was a mainstay of the area, the annual Lumbermans Picnic drew immense crowds to the same locale as where todays Pioneer Museum sits. Could this be a start on the revival of that once-popular event? For further information on August 9 activities, or to register for any of the competitions, please call Marcella at 336-9670, or Mary Jane at 336-0201.

With the participation of the Government of Canada