USA Special Event Description:
Each Memorial Day weekend, the Southern U.S. World Championship Woodchopper title is won at the annual Webster County Woodchopping Festival in Webster Springs, WV. The festival has grown out of a long timbering heritage from which has come some of the finest woodchoppers and lumbermen in the world. The choppers come from as near as the scenic mountains of Webster County and as far away as Australia and New Zealand to compete.
The hometown festival was the natural outgrowth of the multi-talented All-around Champion, Arden Cogar, Sr. Arden began competing in 1956 and has since won 47 championship titles in the United States and Australia. In 1960 the Webster Springs Lions Club sponsored the first woodchopping event at Camp Caesar 4-H Camp. The festival was then moved to the Webster Springs area for two years. The festival moved again, this time to the Diana area for one year. After a struggling few first years, the festival found its home in Webster Springs where it remained and has become a world renowned event.
Accompanying the woodchopping contest are many exciting events such as the Sports Weekend Tournaments, Car and Truck Shows, Motorcycle Show, West Virginia State Firemen's Rodeo Championship, the Grand Feature Parade, Arts and Crafts Shows, and the West Virginia State Turkey Calling Championship, all in addition to live music concerts. The festival concludes on Sunday with a Gospel Sing and Fireworks display. These events, just to name a few, are only a highlight of the week long events that occur. The Webster County Woodchopping Festival offers something for everyone and is certain to provide lasting memories for all those that attend. So come out and join us, while you pick out your favorite timberman and cheer him on as you watch one of the fastest growing spectator sports in the world. The Webster County Woodchopping Festival committee takes great pride in our festival and its family oriented atmosphere. We invite you and your family to spend time here in Webster County for one of the best festivals in the State of West Virginia.
Event Performers:
Saturday May 8, 2004
Miss Woodchopper Pageant - 7:00 pm WSES
Sunday May 9, 2004
Jr. Miss Woodchopper Pageant - 4:00 pm WSES
Monday May 10, 2004
Miss Woodchip Pageant - 7:00 pm WSES
Saturday May 22, 2004
Registration For Volleyball Tournament - 9:00 am WSES
Muzzleloading Contest - 9:00 am BI
Volleyball Tournament - 9:30 am WSES
Weightlifting Contest - 2:00 pm BI
Sunday May 23, 2004
Registration for 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament - 10:00 am WSES
3 on 3 Basketball Tournament - 11:00 am WSES
Tuesday May 25, 2004
WS Junior High Band Concert - 7:00 pm WSES
Wednesday May 26, 2004
Pet Parade - 6:00 pm MS
Little Choppers Fun Night - 6:30 pm BI
Auction - 7:00 pm BI
Thursday May 27, 2004
Down Home Thursday Night - 7:00 pm BI
Friday May 28, 2004
Fireman's Parade Line-up - 6:30 pm WSMB
Fireman's Parade - 7:00 pm MS
WV State Fireman's Rodeo - 8:00 pm BI
Outdoor Concert - 8:30 BI
Saturday May 29, 2004
Lumberjack Breakfast - 6:30 am WSES
5-K Race Registration - 6:30 am WSES
5-K Race Begins - 8:00 am WSES
Woodchopping Elimination Begins - 9:00 am BI
Court Square Activities (Music, etc.) - 9:00 am MS
Arts & Crafts Registration and Open - 9:00 am BI
Car Show Registration - 9:00 am BI
Motorcycle Show Registration - 9:00 am BI
Grand Feature Parade Line-up Begins - 9:30 am WSMB
Coffee Hour - 9:30 am WSMB
Grand Feature Parade - 11:30 am MS
Car Show Begins - 1:00 pm BI
Motorcycle Show Begins - 1:00 pm BI
Horseshoe Pitching Begins - 2:00 pm BI
Outdoor Concert - 8:00 pm BI
Woodchoppers Ball - 10:00 pm WSMB
Sunday May 30, 2004
WSVFD Auxiliary Breakfast - 8:00 am WSMB
Paul Bunyan Kids Bike Race Registration - 9:00 am CB
Paul Bunyan Kids Bike Race Begins - 10:00 am CB
Arts & Crafts Re-opens - 10:00 am BI
WV State Turkey Calling Championship - 11:00 am WSES
Championship Chopping Finals - 12:00 pm BI
Horseshoe Pitching (Doubles) - 2:00 pm BI
Ducky Derby Race - 2:00 pm BI
Gospel Sing Begin
Location of USA Special Event:
Baker's Island Recreational Area
Special Event Contact: 304-847-7666
Event Email Contact: woodchoppingfestival@hotmail.com
