A lumberjack competition, also called a woodsmen competition or woodsmen show, is a series of timed contests built around traditional logging skills. Typical events include crosscut sawing (two people working a hand saw through a log against the clock), log rolling (staying upright on a floating log while an opponent tries to spin you off), axe throwing for accuracy, and speed chopping through a standing block.
These competitions are a staple of agricultural fairs across the Northeast, where they showcase skills tied to the region’s historic logging industry. They usually run as a scheduled grandstand event rather than something you wander into on the midway, so it’s worth checking a fair’s schedule for the exact time.
