Lumberjack & Lumberjill competitions wow crowds at German Fest

Jun 20, 2023

The five disciplines on display will be hot saw, single buck, standing block, stock saw, and underhand chop

The five disciplines on display will be hot saw, single buck, standing block, stock saw, and underhand chop

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The five disciplines on display will be hot saw, single buck, standing block, stock saw, and underhand chop

The Stihl Timbersports U.S. Championships have returned to Milwaukee for the first time since 2019, with Lumberjacks and Lumberjills competing to qualify for the World Championships.

The events featuring axes and chainsaws are taking place at German Fest Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The five disciplines on display will be hot saw, single buck, standing block, stock saw, and underhand chop.

Many of the competitors have already won multiple U.S. and world titles.

Martha King won the last national championship held in Milwaukee. She says she loves competing at German Fest.

"The energy is completely different here," said King, a 2-time U.S. Women's Champion in stock saw. "So I think that it's just going to be so great to have people coming in and out, learning a little bit more about the sport. I'm sure that once they hear the saws all fire up, they'll just be drawn to it like moths to a flame. Hopefully, they'll stay for the whole run."

Matt Cogar, 7-time U.S. Pro Champion in hot saw is competing in Milwaukee for the fourth time this weekend.

"I've won the U.S. championships here twice," said Cogar. "It's probably one of the largest crowds that we've had for our sport, and it's great. It's fantastic. They get riled up, especially when they hear the hot saws roar."

You may be wondering how chainsaws and German Fest are related, but there are actually quite a few connections. The chainsaw company Stihl was founded in Germany. Those who win this weekend will also go onto the World Championships which take place this November in Germany.

Athletes say they love how the sport is fairly new, but is rooted in longstanding traditions.

"It's based on the traditional practices of forestry," said King. "I think it has a lot of appeal because of its organic nature, because we have taken something that was so paramount to building up our country, and we've turned it into sport. It's a celebration of our heritage and our roots, and I think a lot of people can appreciate that."

The schedule of events is as follows:

Friday, July 28 – U.S. Women’s Championship

Saturday, July 29 – U.S. Men’s Championship Semi-Finals

Sunday, July 30 – U.S. Men’s Championship Finals

German Fest is at Henry Maier Festival Park July 28-30.