Winn Parish saw another great Louisiana Forest Festival this past weekend as weather cooperated and organizers put in a huge effort to showcase forestry, the Number One industry that powers the local economy.

Activities got started Friday morning when the LSU AgCenter hosted 4-H Achievement Day combined with an intensive four-rotation Forestry Awareness program at the Fairgrounds.  Then downtown’s Main Street was the venue for the first revival of the once-popular Bed Races.  Successful Friday with just three entries, organizers in Kiwanis are hopeful the atypical competition will blossom in future.

Bright and early Saturday morning, some 100 runners (and walkers) plus a host of event organizers and supporters gathered on Fairgrounds Road for the first running of the “Race for Chase” 5K.  The event for runners and walkers of all ages honors the memory of Chase McManus, with proceeds funding a local ATV Safety Awareness training program.  Organizer Miranda Atkins projects that this will become an annual event.

The Forest Festival itself began at 8 with Opening Ceremonies held under the roof on “The Hill” and by that time, the Fairgrounds midway was already filled with the sights and sounds of the festival.  Covered booths with foods, gifts and giveaways were set up everywhere.  Regional timber companies displayed equipment and supplies and also had plenty more giveaways.  Music would arrive later as the day warmed up.

Timber Skills competitions were also shown off on The Hill for literally all ages for those taking part included everyone from young 4-H members to veteran TimberSports professionals including Melvin Lentz who has been a dominant figure in the Louisiana Forest Festival competitions since 1981.

The 4-H events led the way, with teams from Winn Parish and Vernon Parish vying for the annual honors in this state event using the non-mechanical tools of axes, saws, ropes and cant hooks of this historic industry.  Collegiate competitions followed, this year interspersed with the professional events.  Also non-mechanical, rivalry was seen between Louisiana Tech and Stephen F. Austin.

The professional TimberSports of course did combine mechanical (power saw) events with axe and manual crosscut saw events.  This portion of the show brought in not only local competitors but also many from across the country.