Timberfest offers fun way for families to honor local industry
Sheridan festival offers fun way for families to honor local industry
The woods of Grant County have long been a boon to lumberjacks, and each autumn, the Sheridan community pays homage to its logging tradition at Timberfest, a family-friendly festival that invites neighbors to come together for food, music and good times.
“Growing up in Sheridan, I always remember going to Timberfest with my family and friends,” said Lacey Hall, executive director of the Grant County Chamber of Commerce. “It meant that fall was here, and there’s nothing quite like fall in Arkansas.”
The 34th annual Timberfest will take place Oct. 6 and 7 on the Grant County Courthouse Square in Sheridan. The Timberfest Pageant is set for Sept. 30 at the Sheridan High School Fine Arts Auditorium.
Kids can cut loose at 3 p.m. Oct. 6 with the opening of attractions such as a petting zoo, a rock wall, an inflatable slide, a dunking booth and carnival rides, which will continue throughout Oct. 7.
Derrick Riley will kick off the entertainment at 3 p.m. Oct. 6 on the Yellowjacket Stage, where Matt and Bob Joyce will perform gospel at 5:30 p.m. At 7 p.m., Moxie will roll the tunes over the Lumberjack Stage while Winona Road lights up the BBQ Stage.
On Oct. 7, Winona Road will serve up a second helping on the BBQ Stage at 11 a.m., and the Yellowjacket Stage will host performances from local schools throughout the day, as well as magician Derrick Rose at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The Fiddle Frenzy String Band will hop onstage at 3:15 p.m., followed by Trey Johnson and Jason Willmon at 5:30 p.m. The Legendary Pacers will grace the Lumberjack Stage at 4 p.m., and headliner David Adam Byrnes will cap off the entertainment at 7 p.m.
In addition to awesome tunes, festivalgoers can take part in a number of fun activities, including the 5K Run/Fun Walk at 8 a.m. Oct. 7, followed by the Timberfest Parade at 10 a.m.
“Our parade always kicks off the festival Saturday morning,” Hall said. “The local high school band dresses as lumberjacks and fills the streets with music. Local lumber companies load their trucks with timber, and local businesses and organizations create floats.”
One unique attraction that recognizes the town’s timber tradition is the Arkansas State Lumberjack Competition, which brings together local talent, out-of-state competitors and participants from several colleges to test their mettle through logging challenges such as ax-throwing and Jack-and-Jill sawing.
“The timber industry is one of our biggest industries in Grant County,” Hall said. “I feel like the festival really represents that and gives people an opportunity to come together and show the support we have for this industry.”
Other events set for Oct. 7 include the J.T. Davis Memorial Car & Motorcycle Show at 11 a.m., the Hunter’s Refuge Bow Shoot at 11 a.m., the Junior Firefighter Challenge at 11:30 a.m. and the Pinewood Derby at noon.
Throughout the day, cooks will bring the heat and smoke the meat as they prepare for the Smart Auto Group Go Hog Wild BBQ Cookoff, awards for which will be presented at 4 p.m.
If whiffs of delicious barbecue stir the appetite, attendants can choose from a wide range of fare. In addition to barbecue and traditional carnival foods such as turkey legs and corn dogs, vendors will serve seafood, tacos, Cajun grub and more.
Local merchants and other artisans will offer arts, crafts, handmade jewelry, knife-sharpening, custom ironworks, gifts for dog lovers and other goods.
“I always look forward to the parade, the entertainment and the unique vendors,” Hall said. “Can you really beat fresh-squeezed lemonade and funnel cakes?”