Wooden masterpieces are to be created before the eyes of those attending this year’s Lake Days festivities in Saywell Park.
That is, thanks to the artists coming to town for the second annual chainsaw carving demonstration.
Like last year, wood chips will be flying throughout the festivities. This year, carvers will be cutting through wood donated by Island Timberlands Northwest Division.
Two of the four artists taking part in this year’s festivities were in town last year; Howard Lobb and Dan Ritchie, whose bird carvings both sold during the auction that winds up the demonstration.
The auction is key to expanding the demonstration into a contest, for next year’s Lake Days, organizer Josh LaFrance said.
“We can go international with the contest,” the hopeful LaFrance said.
The auction items will not go for as low a price as they did last year, LaFrance said, citing a sculpture worth at least $10,000 that went for $600.
There will also be $5 raffle tickets circulating throughout the weekend, with the winning ticket getting a carving of their choice. Last year’s raffle drew in $2,400 to help fund this year’s event.
The carving demonstration will begin at 7 a.m., Thursday, June 9, and will wrap up with a live auction shortly after noon, Sunday.
A mini-gallery will be set up for people to purchase smaller pieces that were created by the artists prior to the festivities.