Council Loggers Jubilee gets Organized
From the Council Valley, one looks south into the sagebrush-covered desert, but to the north, you see mountains covered in timber as far as your eye can see. Since the 1800’s, the people of this valley have used the tools of the Lumberjack to acquire the necessary building materials that it takes to survive. Here, the first settlers would have used the axe and crosscut saw to fall the trees they needed. Then, they would have used old-fashioned horsepower to get those downed trees to wherever they were planning to build.
The first sawmill in the Council Valley was built on Mill Creek in 1885. This mill used a circular saw powered by water to cut logs into lumber. A great deal of manpower was needed in those days to fell the trees and transport them to the mill; the thought of using power saws and Caterpillar tractors was not even a dream.
If you have ever traveled to our part of the country, you will still see some of the old gray stumps scattered throughout the timber that tell the story of the people who came before us. If you look closely enough, you will see the scars the axe and the crosscut saw left on them. On some rare occasions, you can still see an old barber chaired slab still connected to the stump. Oftentimes, the slow cut made with the crosscut saw was not enough to keep up with the pressure being exerted on the tree from its direction of lean, so the tree would split right up the center and crash down anywhere it chose. Today’s modern chainsaw has mostly eliminated the threat of the barber chair because of the tremendous power and speed at which they cut.
Almost every aspect of the logging industry has seen significant changes over the years. However, the one thing that has stayed the same is the fact that we still harvest wood from trees for our daily use– making the timber industry in these parts of our woods, one of our most valuable. Another thing that people might say has not changed is the competitive nature of the hard-working folks in the logging industry. Whether they are trying to outperform their fellow crew members or another crew entirely, there has always been some form of competition among them. As a result of that competitive nature and Council Valley’s history, we now have annual logging competitions in Council every 4th of July. Although, the saws used in these competitions are not the saws your grandpa used... These are high-revving saws that run razor-sharp chains and cut through wood like it’s butter!
The Council annual saw competition has been well managed by various volunteers over the years, making it today’s community-favorite event. This year, the torch has been passed to the next generation to keep this tradition alive and thriving. The Council Loggers Jubilee was established in January 2025 by a board of local volunteers who share a common passion for logging and community. The purpose of this nonprofit organization is to enrich our logging community and encourage future generations to continue in the logging trade. Through sponsorship dollars, donations, and the auctioning of each contestant, we aim to fund local scholarships that promote the trades and give back to our community.
There are numerous opportunities to get involved through sponsorships and volunteering. Please contact us at: CouncilLoggersJubilee@yahoo.com or visit our website at: CouncilLoggersJubilee.com.
You will see your favorite sawyers compete this year in the Large and Medium saw competitions. Join us as we reveal the ultimate champions for each event, where they will showcase their skill, precision, and the unwavering spirit of the forestry elite.
We have also brought back some favorite events from previous years, including the Jack and Jill Team event, Youth Wood Split, the Dunk Tank, and the Team Tug of War! These events demonstrate teamwork, true grit, and sheer determination.
Join us this July 4th at the Council Loggers Jubilee, where the spirit of logging comes alive! Enjoy thrilling competitions and community camaraderie. Formerly known as the Council Saw Contest, this annual competition showcases local expertise and talent, highlighting loggers’ rich heritage and contributions to our community.
Sign-up for competitors can be done at JD’s Powersports in Council or you can download a competition form from our website: councilloggersjubilee.com Once you complete the form, please email it to: councilloggersjubilee@yahoo.com.
