Wood chopping tradition unites Southbury family
A tradition that usually happens in November had an early start this year during Labor Day weekend. The Judge family held its 22nd annual wood chopping competition, the “Chop Off ” Saturday at a home in Southbury.
Steven Judge hosted the tradition, which is held in honor of the oldest brother, John, who passed away in 2000. He and the family made a pact to come together once a year in his honor. The origins of the Chop Off can be traced back to Thanksgiving of 1999; Steven and John’s sister Deb Judge Silber asked the men to go chop some wood for the fire place.
“What was supposed to be something that took three minutes ended up becoming a competition,” she said. “Something that started off so simple, became so complex that we even have a rule book.”
Every year, the families come together, whether it takes place in Florida, Colorado, North Carolina, New York or Connecticut.
With three swings, they use an axe to chop the wood, which has to be a certain size, and they have one minute and 15 seconds to make the wood to fit perfectly into different gauges to receive a point. If there’s still time left on the clock and wood is left on a log, they use their hands to rip off pieces.
The winner receives the “golden wedge” trophy depicting an axe head made out of wood attached to a golden wedge. The platform is also made out of wood with golden plaques stating the winner of the year. Whoever wins, gets to keep the trophy and have “bragging rights,” said older brother Kevin Judge who is the second most frequent winner behind David Judge, who has won nine times. What started off with five people has turned into a competition for seven and they hope for it to grow. This year, Steven Judge took home the trophy.
“Originally it started with the four brothers and my sister’s husband, but now the children have gotten involved once they hit 18,” said Steven. “We tell the women to join as well but they just like to watch.”
Silber hopes for the trophy to make its way to her home in Trumbull since that’s where the idea for the competition started. “My husband used to participate but can’t anymore so our son is in charge of bringing it back home,” she joked.
Ty Judge, 22, is the youngest competitor and lives in Colorado.
“It has always been fun and exciting to grow up watching this,” said Ty. “To be a part of it and being the youngest is great. It is difficult to compete with the older guys, but it is a good time.”
Even though the family does come together to compete, they all agreed that coming together is the main goal.
“Our friends are always fascinated by this tradition and love how wood chopping can bring all of us together no matter the distance,” said Silber.