By Melissa Lanyon
Featured image: Event commentator Chelsea also competed in the axe throw. Photos by Melissa Lanyon.
Opening day at the Campbell River Salmon Festival in Willow Point Park did not disappoint, with a full schedule of family-friendly fun.
Bringing together world-class Logger Sports competitions and the traditional Highland Gathering, anticipation built steadily from the moment visitors walked through the packed parking lot and onto the fields for the opening ceremonies.
Driven by excellent, moment-by-moment commentating, the high-energy individual and team logging events were easy to follow, even for those new to Logger Sports.
Among the standout competitors was Jenn Baddeley, a Victoria native currently competing in her second season. Baddeley’s passion for logger sports began when she attended a games event in Victoria years ago, leading her to sign up for a beginner’s clinic, and she has been hooked ever since.
During the competitions today, Baddeley shared a lighthearted moment with the audience. She mentioned she was glad to have a reporter standing directly in front of her because locking eyes with someone keeps her head square and prevents her from turning to watch where her sheaf lands – a habit that can throw off accuracy.
“We’re friends now, don’t look away!” Baddeley called out with a laugh as she locked focus with this reporter before executing her throw.
Over at the carving arena, a chainsaw demonstration had the crowd completely rapt. The carver, who goes by the tagline “high-speed-Chase,” humorously talked spectators through the process of shaping a wooden bunny. Just as the figure finally took shape, he suddenly decapitated the bunny’s head – revealing it was never a bunny at all, and what looked like “ears” were actually the legs of a child-sized chair.
In a sweet finish to the trick, he gifted the freshly carved chair to the youngest spectator in the audience.
It wasn’t just human spectators soaking in the excitement – four-legged fans enjoyed the action too, including Bella, who watched the logging events alongside her owner, Jim Stephen.
Don’t Miss Day 2: What’s Coming Up Sunday, August 9
If you missed today’s opening action, there is still plenty of time to catch the excitement at Willow Point Park (1800 South Alder St.). Admission is $5 at the gate, and kids 12 and under enter for free.On site are a tempting selection of food trucks and local craft vendors, along with an impressive wall of bouncy castle structures, a carnival swing ride, and more family-friendly activities. Sunday’s lineup kicks off at 9:00 AM:
- Highland Dance (Registration at 8:30 AM): Primary, Beginner, and Novice dance competitions run 9:00 AM to noon, followed by Premier competitions from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
- Highland Heavy Games (9:00 AM – Noon): Men’s and Women’s Masters competitions, followed by the iconic Caber Toss at approximately noon.
- Professional Logger Sports (12:00 PM): Highlights include the Grand Prairie Accuracy Cut, Standing Chop, Single Buck, Jack & Jill, Obstacle Pole, Springboard, Axe Throw, Stock Saw, Unlimited Saw, and the fan-favourite Kettle Boil.
- Kids Events: Special events running alongside the pro logging competition designed specifically for younger participants!
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