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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 3, 2011)
Page 2 2011 Vernonia Friendship Jamboree ~~~~ Welcome to the 55th Annual Vernonia Friendship Jamboree ~~~~ It’s Jamboree time and the Logging Show returns as part of tradition The tradition of Vernnoia’s Friendship Jamboree began in 1957. This is the 55th year the community has celebrated this way. The first Jamboree included a logging com- petition. Not surprising in a community sur- rounded by trees, where the Oregon Ameri- can Mill was the largest employee from the 1920s until 1957, when it closed. There were five events at that first Jam- boree logging competition; birling, trailer backing, power saw falling, eye splicing and power saw bucking. Bud Gibson, Jr., still in town, won the first event in that first Jam- boree Logging Show. First place winners took home a $25 prize in 1957. Others took home ribbons. Even after the mill closed, many of the men and some of the women have continued work that is part of the logging tradition. Some work on logging crews, some drive log trucks, some work in mills in other parts of the county. It’s not unusual to see hickory shirts in town today, though maybe not as many as even twenty years ago. The History channel is continuing to include Vernonia logging and loggers as part of their series, Ax Men. After a one year hiatus, the logging show has returned with help from Tony Hyde. Hyde, a long time Vernonian, now has a day job as a Columbia County Commissioner. We gathered some history from Hyde on his involvement with the show. He started out as a competitor in logging events, about 37 years ago, and then got involved in organiz- ing the show. He now considers himself the “old sage” helping to teach the “young bucks” how to run the show. For quite awhile Bill Woolsey, the Cota family, and Hyde had done the work necessary for the show, gath- ering sponsors, getting the logs and other items necessary, setting it all up and running the show itself. The new generation is led by Kelly Baska, Lindsay Baska and Robbie Eide. Hyde believes the show is important be- cause it’s the heritage of the community that should not be lost. Logging shows also keep the logger’s skills alive that aren’t used as much now with so much of logging mecha- nized. Hyde compared the logging show to the rodeo in Pendleton. The Roundup there is part of the community tradition, as the log- ging show is part of the Vernonia tradition. © The INDEPENDENT LLC. August 2011, reprint by permission. Phone 503-429-9410 or e-mail: rebecca@the-independent.net. Events at the 2011 Logging Show will in- clude Axe Throw, Working Saw 4-5 ci, Work- ing Saw 5-6 ci, Pole Walk & Snip, Boom Stick Run, Women’s Bucking, Kids’ Axe Throw, Choker Setting, Unlimited Bucking, Steeple Chase, Pole Fall, Pole Walk, Women’s Hard Hat Toss and Kids’ Choker Setting. There are plenty of other activities to enjoy during Jamboree. Spend time with friends and family, while enjoying the food, the music, the vendors, the Kids’ Fishing Derby, the Nehalem Valley Rendezvous, the Crusin’ Car Show, the Diesel Power Show & Shine, the Horse Gaming Show, LIbrary Book Sale, Parade, Lawnmower Races, Ring of FIre movie, Talent Show, Texas Hold’em Tourna- ment, Softball, First Friday, and Open Air Markets. The Vernonia Eagle, Vernonia’s paper until it folded in 1974, called the logging show, “one of the biggest draws” at Jamboree. This is the 27th year our family has put together a Jamboree paper. We still enjoy Jamboree and the logging show is still a big draw. We hope you enjoy Jamboree, too.
