Aug 31, 2005 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Lumberjacks from around the world will converge this weekend at Yough Park to participate in Timber Days, the celebration of the area’s logging industry. The Greater Connellsville Area Chamber of Commerce will host the eighth annual event that will also feature a parade, car show, concert and activities for all ages during the two days of festivities.

“Timber Days has become one of the area’s most popular events,” said Chris Wagner, chamber executive director of the Sept. 4 and 5 celebration. “To have the opportunity to see these very talented and award-winning lumberjacks in competition is fantastic.”

Mill Run timber sportsman Harry Burnsworth is overseeing the competition that will feature seven events, including the hot saw, Jack and Jill, single buck, standing chop, two-man crosscut, underhand and springboard.

Burnsworth garnered his second gold medal in the hot saw competition last month during the ESPN Great Outdoor Games held in Florida.

Last week, the Mill Run man was named one of the “Elite Twelve” during the fourth qualifying round in the Stihl-Timbersports competition held in Ohio.

Burnsworth took first place in the hot saw event.

Joining Burnsworth in the local competition will be Dave Bolstad, Jason Wynyard, Dion Lane, Dale Ryan, Matt Bush, Mike Slingerland, Melvin Lentz, Arden Cogar Jr., Mike Eash, Chris Bradshaw, Brad Stevens and Mark Jones.

Nancy Burnsworth, who is coordinating the professional and amateur contests, said that she anticipates other national and international competitors to also take part in the weekend events.

“They like coming to Connellsville,” she said. “They like how the competition is set up. They like the people and the location.”

Several local amateurs will also join the professionals in their own competition, including the Burnsworth’s son, Harry Burnsworth II along with Lonnie “Buzz” Prinkey, Bob Trump and Floyd Ritenour.

The celebration will begin Saturday at noon with a parade from the city’s south side to Crawford Avenue to Yough Park.

Participants will line up at the South Side Grocer beginning at 10 a.m. Any organization is welcome to take part, added Wagner.

The timber sport competition begins at 1 p.m. for the professionals and amateurs.

At 4 p.m., a hot dog eating contest will be held. June Newell, event committee member, said that first-, second- and third-place prizes will be awarded to those who can down the largest number of hot dogs in five minutes.

“Everyone is welcome to join in,” she said.

The Crazy Cowboy Band, a musical group from Vanderbilt, will take the stage at 6 p.m.

Throughout the day, food, beverages and snow cones will be available for purchase from a variety of vendors.

Crafts, jewelry, chair massages will also be offered by area groups and businesses. The Family Readiness Group for the local Pennsylvania Army National Guard will be offering candles for sale while the Connellsville Rotary Club will sell roses.

Armstrong Cable and Fayette EMS will co-sponsor several kids’ events with Fayette Amusements and M&G Concessions providing activities.

Beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday, the lumberjack competition will resume at the park along with a car cruise hosted by the Coke Center Region AACA. Dash plaques will be distributed to the first 50 participants with trophies awarded in several categories.

Wagner, meanwhile, said although the event continues to grow, additional sponsors are needed for two of the lumberjack competitions.

“We’re hoping that our business community will come forward and assist the chamber to defray some of the costs associated with this event,” she said.

Businesses or individuals interested in becoming an event sponsor should call the chamber office at 724-628-5500.