On Saturday, October 4, the Narrowsburg Chamber of Commerce once again sponsored Logging Days: Celebrating our Heritage, a free, family-friendly event featuring the New York State Lumberjack Association Lumberjack Contest. 

Held on a warm, sunny day at Fireman’s Field along the Delaware riverfront, the event celebrated Narrowsburg’s historic role as a thriving logging town. The festival hosted a dozen competitive lumberjacking events, as well as an expanded vendor market, musical performances, a baking contest, beard and mustache contest, kids’ activities area, and educational lectures related to wood and forests. 

Logging Days had approximately 3,000 attendees last year, and organizers anticipated an even larger audience this year. Food and drink vendors included local businesses such as Smok’d BBQ, Nikki C’s Seafood, Big Eddy Brewing, Catskill Brewery, and Do Good Spirits. 

“We’ve got a great vendor market, food, and all kinds of interesting crafts and things,” says Narrowsburg Chamber of Commerce president Martin Higgins, including s’mores and face painting for the kids. “We just try to bring all of our local makers and artisans in to show what they do.” 

Vendors and attendees were excited by the good weather, scenic location, and the opportunity to get a close-up look at competitive lumberjacks in action. Meg Maniec of Roots of Heather, a maker of gluten-free goods and homemade jams, returned as a vendor this year. “We were here last year and had a wonderful time,” says Maniec. “I love watching the competitions and the fact that there are so many women loggers that come out. I think that is wonderful for our young folks to see that women can do it too.”

Margaret Helthaler and Chris Helthaler of Standing Impressions returned to Logging Days again this year to showcase their wooden goods and artwork. “It’s a really fun event in terms of the activities,” says Margaret. “It’s neat to see the different events the loggers participate in. It’s a nice crowd and it’s a beautiful location.”

Taylor Pierce of Callicoon, a first-time attendee to Logging Days, enjoyed a hard apple cider from Big Eddy Brewing Co. while nine-month-old Cooper rested in his wagon. “I think it’s great,” says Taylor of the festival. “I think it’s definitely a unique, wonderful community event.”