Ozark Regional Timberfest
Ozark Regional Timberfest
A New Tradition in Ripley County
By Tracey Holden, Executive Director
Ripley County Chamber of Commerce
In early spring of 2006, Dwight Thompson came to the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce Board of Director’s and presented an idea for a Timberfest in Ripley County. Thompson had researched similar events and, after thinking about it for a while, considered the possibility and potential success for a similar event in Ripley County. There were, of course, naysayers and folks who just didn't’t believe we could pull it off. Not to be ignored or put to the side, Thompson pursued the idea and came up with a committee of local people who he felt could see the Timberfest through. That committee of local people grew to include individuals from state and local agencies and folks from surrounding counties. At its inception, the Timberfest was already growing.
Thompson envisioned the Timberfest pulling visitors from all over Southeast Missouri, so he and several committee members traveled many miles and visited many towns presenting the idea to businesses in the timber industry and asked for sponsorships. The response was overwhelming – the idea blossomed into reality and we had the beginnings of the Ozark Regional Timberfest. The enthusiasm began to spread like wildfire and soon people were calling and asking to be a sponsor. The ball was rolling and gaining momentum.
If you’ve attended the Ozark Regional Timberfest, then you’ve witnessed a very successful, historic event happen in our own back yard. The timber industry is the third largest in the state, and very likely the largest industry in Ripley County. What better way to say thank you to those people whose family history is steeped in timber? What better way to acknowledge the industry that has sustained our county for nearly 150 years?
Months of planning and meetings yielded plans for what would be two days jam-packed with timber related events, crafters, food vendors, entertainment and exhibitors. From the beginning, education would be a primary focus. The US Forest Service and Missouri Department of Conservation, along with Missouri Forest Products Association (MFPA), Missouri Farmer’s Union (MFU) and Eastern Ozarks Forestry Council (EOFC) were on board to help bring the event to life.
The week of Timberfest started out very warm – just ask Thompson, Vernon Wagner or Ron Barnett. They were at the fairgrounds from sunup to sundown getting the fairgrounds ready. Mowing, weed eating, cleaning, preparing parking lots, changing light bulbs – the list goes on and on. The Ripley County Commission brought in graders to level the parking lots, local businesses and business owners came forward to offer their assistance. Ripley County Fair Board members Alan Slayton and Sam Griffin worked alongside the Chamber of Commerce, seeing the potential in this huge undertaking. What began with a 10-person committee grew into a community wide labor of love.
On Thursday, October 5, the US Forest Service was setting up their authentic 1920’s logging camp under the direction of Cindy Price; Glenda Frye and Joe Glenn with MFPA were there preparing for their Game of Logging, Sherman Redus was setting up his antique sawmill, MDC set up their portable sawmill, and exhibitors were setting up their booths. We had no idea how many would attend the event and in many ways, it still seemed like a dream. That’s when Ray Wagner pulled up with two four-and-one-half foot diameter logs. That’s when it became real.
Friday, October 6, dawned clear and beautiful – a perfect autumn day. By 6 a.m., members of the Timberfest Committee were scrambling around the Ripley County Fairgrounds getting ready for the 975 students who would begin pulling up in buses at 9 a.m. Debbie Wilson of the US Forest Service and Chamber of Commerce Vice President Jason Seter would direct the students from Doniphan, Gatewood, Clearwater and East Carter Schools who would be the first to witness what was to come during the two day event. The students got to try their hand at crosscutting, played a little bit of fish jeopardy in the Whitwell Building, and learned about Missouri’s trees and the timber industry. Hearing their laughter and seeing their smiles made Timberfest a success in the eyes of those who had spent hours planning the event. At that moment, it was worth it all.
However, more excitement was to come later that day. About 3 p.m., horse trailer after horse trailer began pulling into the fairgrounds for Ripley County’s first ever Draft Horse Pull. Ron Barnett, who was in charge of the Draft Horse Pull, came through with flying colors. Jerry Lynxwiler took up residence in his ‘home away from home’, the announcer’s booth at the Carl Brooks Sports Arena. As usual, Lynxwiler entertained the crowd and led them through the Horse Pull.
The beauty and strength of these animals can only be appreciated in person. Ask the 2,500 people who came through the gates Friday night to witness this great event. Add to that Oxly Fire Department’s fried fish and great bluegrass music by Friends A Pickin’ out of Ellington, and the evening was a guaranteed success. By midnight, the fairgrounds were empty except for the dedicated individuals on the Timberfest Committee who, bleary-eyed, began to prepare for Saturday’s events. Friday’s success brought a sense of relief and excitement to the group. What would Saturday bring?
October 7, the second and final day of Timberfest arrived as gloriously as did Friday. It was cold, but that didn’t stop the Kiwanis Club from serving up their famous pancakes for breakfast. Crafters, who participated in the Doniphan Women’s Civic Club annual craft show, were busy setting up their booths and those faithful craft shoppers were streaming through the gates a little before 8 a.m. The day was off to a good start.
Chainsaws were buzzing, music was playing, and folks from all over Southeast Missouri were enjoying a day of timber related events. MFPA’s Game of Logging got underway about 10 a.m., followed by the Speed and Cross Cut Competitions in the Crawford Price Arena. At 3 p.m., the Rail Splitters put on a show demonstrating just how intense and precise rail splitting can be. The logging camp was a big draw, as was the portable sawmill brought in by Sherman Redus. The chainsaw carver wowed spectators as he managed to carve five different statues to be auctioned off Saturday night. Still, the cars kept pulling in.
Saturday’s main event would be the Logger’s Relay. An unexpected 14 teams participated in the relay, which surpassed Vernon Wagner’s and Thompson’s expectations. When the relay was being planned, we were concerned that we’d be lucky to get five teams. Wagner’s persistence paid off. The Logger’s Relay was an undeniable success, and the teams who participated were so full of fun and passion that anyone around them was infected by their laughter and support of each other. What a way to end the first Ozark Regional Timberfest!
Elvin Klepzig could be seen both days with camera and video camera in hand, documenting every exhibit, every competition and every smile. And the smiles were plenty. It is estimated that nearly 5,000 people came through the gates those two days to be part of Ripley County history.
It is often said that history repeats itself. That’s why the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to the 2008 Ozark Regional Timberfest. It is the goal of the Chamber of Commerce to bring regional and eventually statewide recognition to Ripley County for its contributions to the timber industry and economy of Southeast Missouri. This winter, there will be many behind the scene meetings and projects undertaken in an effort to promote our region’s number one industry. Dialogue has already begun with state agencies and individuals who can help properly promote and attract industry to the region. Thanks, Ripley County, for your support. The Timberfest is our way of giving back to a community with strong ties to the timber industry, and to each other.
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