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.