Countdown begins to Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous
RIDGWAY - Soon the sound of chainsaws will fill the air in Ridgway as organizers are busy finalizing plans for the upcoming Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous set for April 26-29. In addition to live carvings, visitors can stop by an array of art and craft vendors, food booths, wineries and breweries all while enjoying various musical entertainment.
This year’s event is expected to welcome 90 carvers including 12 international carvers who each receive an eight foot long log to create a piece of their choosing.
Past rendezvous pieces have ranged from elaborate works such as large arches, benches, life-size sculptures of Bigfoot and other wildlife animals, including the everpopular bear as well as eagles and many more.
The Ridgway Mills Campground, bordering the Clarion River, will host the event for the second year. Each day the rendezvous will run from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. except for the final day on Saturday, April 29 which will conclude at 3 p.m. following the quick carve event and auction beginning at 1:45 p.m.
Liz Boni, Rendezvous organizer, said the quick carve auction proved to be a very popular and successful event which debuted last year and featured 40 carvers. Carvers can sign-up to participate in the event upon their arrival and have 1.5 hours to carve a sculpture which is then auctioned off. Some carvers opt to team up as part of the speed carving event.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Boni said.
Boni said proceeds from the quick carve auction benefits carvers in need. Last year proceeds were donated to Todd Gladfelter, a carver from Schuylkill County who was left paralyzed after falling from his roof the day after Thanksgiving in 2021. This year proceeds will be donated to Steve Backus of Washington and Dayton and Michelle Scoggins, owners of Artistry in Wood of Mississippi, all victims of devastating fires. Backus and his wife Nanette lost their carving shop to a fire in December while the Scoggins lost their home, belongings and car to a fire in September.
Boni said they are expecting between 30,00040,000 visitors to attend the rendezvous. New this year is a small, per person gate fee. Youth under age 18 will be admitted for free. This will help continue to fund the event which was established 22 years ago.
In addition to the carvers and other vendors, several eclectic musicians are slated to perform at the rendezvous. They include Bob Dietz, Mike DeStefano, Rob Simbeck, Steve Songer, Bonnie and The Mere Mortals, all taking the stage on Friday, April 28 along with High River Valley, Christopher Dale and Matt Silvia, Sleep Walker and Middle Ground performing on Saturday, April 29.
According to Boni every musician or group has some tie to event whether they are a carver or have a direct connection to the Boni’s.
“Music is becoming a good part of the event now that we have the space,” Boni said. “We would love to expand into more art forms and continue to grow the event by featuring additional art genres.”
In addition the fatherson carving duo of Peter and Sam Bowsher of the United Kingdom will host two seminars during the event. Both carvers are featured on this year’s event T-shirts.
A special tab for the event will be published in The Daily Press and The Ridgway Record on April 24. Visit https://chainsawrendezvous.org for a schedule of events and other information.