Bidding to host 2021 world axe championships
The Municipality of Barrington is in the running to host the 2021 World Axe Throwing Championships.
A bid to host the three-day international event is currently being prepared, with a submission deadline of March 31.
“The bid for the World Axe Throwing Championships is going well,” said Suzy Atwood, director of Marketing and Tourism Development for the municipality. “We have been receiving letters of support from various businesses and organizations throughout the municipality and surrounding communities, as well as support from neighbouring municipal and town units,” said Atwood, who is a champion axe thrower herself.
This will mark the first time the World Axe Throwing Championships is held in Canada. Previous competitions were held in Germany and Switzerland. The competition is held every two years.
In Hallefors, Sweden, at
Team Canada poses for a photo at the 2019 World Championships of Double-bitted Axe Throwing in Hallefors, Sweden. For the first time, Canada will host the 2021 World Axe Throwing Championships through organization of the Nova Lumberjacks Society (NLS). The Municipality of Barrington is hoping to have the successful bid to host the event. the 2019 World Championships of Double-bitted Axe Throwing — which included representatives of the 14 nations present — it was decided, based on a unanimous vote, that Canada would host the next World Championships in 2021 through organization by the Nova Lumberjacks Society (NLS).
The 2021 World Championships are expected to attract 150 to 200 competitors representing between five to 10 countries, in addition to at least seven Canadian provinces and 30-plus axe-throwing clubs. The event will include singles and team competitions as well as public access to axe throwing, and is projected to draw 2,000 to 3,000 out-oftown visitors.
“The event would be a great economic benefit not only to the Municipality of Barrington but our surrounding communities as well,” said Atwood. “This will be an amazing opportunity to show off our outstanding hospitality and showcase our beautiful region to the world.”
If the Municipality of Barrington is successful in its bid, hosting will require an organizing committee, some parttime staff members as well as ceremonial partners for a total of around 30 people.
Which community wins the bid to host will be determined by an evaluation committee of the Nova Lumberjacks Society this spring.
The Nova Lumberjacks Society is a Nova Scotia-based, registered non-profit organization who were awarded the right to host the 2021 World championships based on their experience and success in hosting previous events including the 2018 and 2019 Canadian Axe Throwing Championships in Liverpool and, for the last four years, the Nova Scotia Lumberjack Championships.
This year, the Nova Scotia Lumberjack Championships are scheduled for July 18 and 19 at the Wild Axe Pak in Barrington. This will be the third consecutive year the event has been held in the community.