2018 Forest Sports Festival set for Oct. 6
October 1, 2018
Anyone who wishes to try out old-time logging sports is invited to the Farthest North
Forest Sports Festival Oct. 6 at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The event is free and beginners are welcomed. Participants 18 and older may compete in ax throwing, pulp tossing, log rolling, bow saw and crosscut sawing, fire building and birling. Birling involves balancing on a floating log in Ballaine Lake and trying to stay upright longer than a competitor.
People may compete as individuals, but are encouraged to form teams of four to six. At the end of the day, awards will be given to individuals, teams and the top male and female competitors, the “Bull of the Woods” and the “Belle of the Woods.” Observers are welcomed, but pets must be kept on a leash.
Students and faculty members with the School of Natural Resources and Extension developed the competition as a way to commemorate old-time logging festivals — and to have a good time. Coordinator Dave Valentine said a former professor with the school, Harry Bader, dreamed up the annual event in 1998, and it has stayed much the same with one minor modification. Last year, organizers substituted a colorful plastic “log” from the Student Recreation Center for an actual log, because it was easier to handle and less slippery for birlers.
The 21st annual Forest Fest begins at 10 a.m. at the Fairbanks Experiment Farm fields, across from the Georgeson Botanical Garden. At 1 p.m., the games move to Ballaine Lake. Refreshments will be available and donations are welcome. A warming fire and some grilled food will be available at the lake.
Participants are advised to dress warmly and to bring a change of clothes if they want to try birling. For more information or to volunteer at the event, contact Dave Valentine at or 907-474-7614 or dvalentine@alaska.edu.