The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
CARVING OUT A SPOT
‘Wood Butcher’ demonstrates his chainsaw sculpture work at the Lake County Fair
Woodworking has been a part of the Wood Butcher’s life as long as he can remember.
In fact the “Wood Butcher” nickname was given to Allen Conrad by his father when he was a boy.
Conrad made his debut at the Lake County Fair this year, driving up from Rockbridge, about 40 miles southeast of Columbus.
He was a last-minute addition
Conrad’s technical background is in cabinet making. He’s been doing his chainsaw sculpture work since 2011.
to this year’s fair after another carver couldn’t make it. Conrad said he’s happy to help. He’s been on the other side when the unforeseen has happened. Conrad has demonstrated his chainsaw sculpture work each day of the fair. Around noon July 27, he was working on carving a black labrador retriever. Surrounding Conrad’s
tent were finished works for sale. Many were animals, including eagles, bears, sea horses, turtles and even Bigfoot.
Animals are a popular request from customers, but Conrad said he carves all kinds of things. Past works have varied from the Statue of Liberty to a Volkswagen Beetle.
Conrad’s technical background is in cabinet making. He’s been doing his chainsaw sculpture work since 2011.
The amount of time that it takes to complete a carving varies. Conrad said he’s put 100 hours into a project before.
Others can take a matter of minutes. Conrad has put on “speed carving” demonstrations during the Lake County Fair. Viewers can make bets on how long they think it will take Conrad to complete a carving. The person with the closest guess wins the sculpture. It took Conrad 22 minutes to complete an eagle carving July 26.
Festivals are nothing new for Conrad, who said he’s attended them for the past six years. He said he’s enjoyed his first Lake County Fair.
“This has a really good feel to it,” he said.
The Lake County Fair wraps up its annual event July 28. The Wood Butcher will be back for the final day of the fair.
Other events that day include the Cincinnati Circus Aerial Act & Juggling, which has a show at the front midway at 3 p.m. (and roaming the midway throughout the day); Jungle Terry with shows at 2, 4 and 6 p.m.; and the Lake County Demolition Derby at 6 p.m.