BARRINGTON, N.S. – All systems are a go for the third annual Nova Scotia Lumberjack Championships, being hosted by the North Nova Lumberjacks Society on June 16 and 17 in Barrington at the Wild Axe Park on Petticoat Lane next to the Barrington River.
As many as 1,000 people are expected to attend the event each day to watch as more than 50 lumberjacks and jills from as far away as Quebec and Ontario compete in four divisions for a piece of the $18,000 prize-money pie.
“We’ve had people calling from as far away as Pictou, wondering where the site is, asking about accommodations, so I think the campgrounds should be pretty full around here. We’ve had a lot of inquiries,” said organizer Burlin Nickerson. “Hopefully the hotels will be full too. We’ve also had quite a few inquiries about the nearest hotels.”
Parking for the Nova Scotia Lumberjack Championships will be at the nearby Barrington Municipal Visitor Information Centre on Highway 3, with a shuttle service to and from the Wild Axe Park provided by Murray GM. Nickerson said community support and sponsorship for the event has been “amazing,” enabling organizers to triple the prize money being offered from last year. Bleachers are being brought in to provide seating for spectators, said Nickerson, adding there will also be ground space available for those who prefer to bring their own lawn chairs.
A Maritime Lumberjack Association-sanctioned event, competition will be in four divisions: juniors (under 16), masters (over 55), open and women’s.
Onsite registration for competitors begins at 9 a.m. on June 16, with events starting at 10 a.m. including all junior events (except water boil) and qualifiers for log birling, axe throwing and stock saw. The main competition begins at 1 p.m. with qualifying events in all divisions. Event finals will be held on June 17. The gates open for spectators at 11 a.m. both days. In total, there are 14 events in the open division, six in women’s and four each in juniors and masters.
A number of local lumberjacks will compete in the provincial championships, including Burlin Nickerson, Dane Nickerson, Marcel Scott, who holds a boom run world championship, and nine-time world log-rolling champion Phil Scott, who will compete in the master’s division.
“Although it doesn’t have his main event, log roll, he has acquired all lumberjack skills over the years and will get a chance to showcase his other skills in chopping and sawing,” said Burlin Nickerson. Seven-time world log-rolling champion Darren Hudson will be emcee for the event and will make a guest appearance in log roll.
The Lumberjacks TV Series will also be in the area on the weekend, filming “around town” on Saturday and working with the major sponsors, and on Sunday filming the event finals for an episode in the series.
“When they do their filming, they try to promote the local town as much as they can and the local businesses,” said Nickerson.
For further information about the Nova Scotia Lumberjack Championships visit http://www.novalumberjacks.com/ns-lumberjack-championships.html