Heritage Days to offer new twist
June 22, 2012 · Stephen Gruber-Miller, Sun intern

There's an exciting new event coming to Mount Vernon's Heritage Days this year: the All American Lumberjack Show.

The show travels to fairs across the United States and includes a chainsaw carving demonstration, as well as log rolling, ax throwing, sawing, and pole climbing contests, all with an emcee to announce the events. It also features a Lumberjack Sports Camp, open to all ages, which trains participants in log rolling and the use of a two person handsaw.

The show will be at Heritage Days for one day only, Saturday, July 14, and will take place in the Iowa Physical Therapy parking lot on First Street, across from Shepley Pharmacy. It will run for most of the afternoon. The tentative schedule is as follows: From 3 to 3:30 p.m. there will be a chainsaw carving demonstration; from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. is the Lumberjack Show which will include the log rolling, ax throwing, and pole climbing competitions. From 4:30 to 5:30, kids can test their northwoods' skills with the Lumberjack Sports Camp.

There is no admission price for the show itself, but participation in the Lumberjack Sports Camp will cost $5. Additionally, chainsaw carvings of animals and other objects will be sold.

The reason for the inclusion of the All American Lumberjack Show in Heritage Days is due to the later date of the annual festival (July 12-14). This made it possible to book the Lumberjack Show. Michele Grudzinski, a member of the Heritage Days Committee, helped ensure that the Lumberjack Show would be brought to Mount Vernon. Grudzinski expressed excitement about the show, calling it "great entertainment" and "a nice, fun family event."

It is not certain whether the All American Lumberjack Show will return to Heritage Days next year, since its presence depends on next year's schedule and what other events might be included. However, Grudzinski believes in the importance of a variety of entertainment at Heritage Days, so it is possible that the show will be back in the future.