Meadows Valley Days Celebrates 60 Years
“Loggers Ready?” And they’re off - sawing or running or chopping or burling at the 60th annual Meadows Valley Days! The logging competition, car show, and annual festivities took place Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31 in the New Meadows City Park. Hundreds of attendees, both local and from afar, flocked to see the shows. Between the amateur lumberjack competition, Meadows Valley Library book sale, Adams County Historical Society rummage sale, Community Center pie sale, vendor booths of goods and foods, Sunday’s parade and car show, and pit BBQ there was plenty to do and see. People also took breaks around town to check out the many Labor Day yard sales.
The event’s announcers, Caryl Whitlatch and Luke Nolte, kept the events moving starting with Saturday’s axe throwing qualifications. The warm weather helped as adult and youth log burlers plunged into cold water with each round of fun competition. Stacy Loper and her crew keep track of entries and keep things organized before, during, and after along with countless other tasks.
At the Community Center, around 250 pies were prepared and sold over the weekend. The rummage sale at the Depot offered many beautiful and practical items. MV Library had a very popular book sale, and librarian Audrey Crogh expressed thanks to all who purchased and donated generously.
Sunday morning began with a community worship service. Sirens, horns, engine revving, and cheers for candy kicked off the parade featuring a mobile car show, Grand Marshals Jim & Diane Mcleod, and other local heroes. Meadows Valley FFA and High School Girls Volleyball youth represented their respective activities. FFA & Ag students, along with their teacher Rachael Melad, contributed to Meadows Valley Days this year by making the logging and car show trophies.
The line for the Pit BBQ grew as people wandered through the car show from the parade, drawn by delicious scents. MV FFA students helped serve the food prepared by many of Meadows Valley’s own Fire & EMS who contribute tremendously to these events.
Nolte, with his signature auctioneering, helped sell multiple baskets with goods donated by local businesses. Other souvenirs and branded merchandise were auctioned, including a beautiful hand-painted crosscut saw. The saw was donated by the Shivers family and painted by Shawndale Wallace.
The logging competitions always offer excitement with events including Jack & Jill, Jack & Jack, and Jill & Jill crosscut competitions, obstacle buck, choker set race, wrapper toss, and the Fiasco race. The Fiasco is always a crowd favorite with a team of two men and one woman racing to chop and crosscut wood, run with a wheelbarrow and across the obstacle course, and land the axe in the target.
Countless volunteer hours contribute tremendously to the success of these events. Much of the work includes preparing, getting donations, organizing, and tracking points. Volunteers lift, load, and unload. Thank you to all who keep this event running year after year. Congratulations on 60 years of Meadows Valley Days!
Results for First Place in each Logging Category:
All Around Mens Winner - Devin Buys
All Around Womens Winner - Samantha Buys
Mens Axe Throwing - Logan Logan, 11 points
Womens Axe Throwing- Jessie Wallace, 9 points
Jack & Jack Crosscut - Joey Salas & Freddy Hernandez, 10.69 seconds
Jack & Jill Crosscut - Logan Logan & Shawndale Wallace, 8.25 seconds
Jill & Jill Crosscut - LeAndra Smith & Becky Davis, 13.06 seconds
Mens Choker Set - Devin Buys, 15.45 seconds
Womens Choker Set - Samantha Buys, 20.61 seconds
Mens Obstacle Buck - Devin Buys, 23.01 seconds
Womens Obstacle Buck - none completed
Jack & Jill Wood Chop - Devin & Samantha Buys, 15.93 seconds
Mens Wrapper Toss - Doug Buys, 22.15 seconds
Womens Wrapper Toss - Nicki Yelton, 1:04.91
Fiasco - Devin, Samantha, and Doug Buys, 1:23
Car Show Winners:
Best of Class 1900-1919 - Drew Dunn, 1914 Ford T Touring
1st Runner Up - Susan Newman, 1919 Ford T
2nd Runner Up - Steve Lawyer, 1911 Sears H
Best of Class 1920’s - Mark & Daisy Wocicki, 1924 Ford T Depot Hack
1st Runner Up - Shawn Adamson, 1925 Ford TT
2nd Runner Up - Becky Showman, 1927 Ford Model T
Best of Class 1930’s & 1940’s - Hank & Keri Bennett, 1937 Plymouth Business Coupe
1st Runner Up - Carolyn Hegvet, 1934 Ford Model T 5 Window Coupe
2nd Runner Up: Joanie Calhoun, 1930 Ford Model A
Class 1950’s & 1960’s - Gene Gans, 1956 Chevy Belair
1st Runner Up - Brian Bauer, 1969 Pontiac GTO
2nd Runner Up - John Sutton, 1965 Chevrolet Impala
Class 1970’s, 1980’s & 1990’s - Abby Fleming, 1979 Ford F 150 Ranger
1st Runner Up - Randy & Carol Freeman, 1977 Ford F-250 Crew Cab
2nd Runner Up - Levi J Harrison, 1977 Pontiac Trans Am
Class 2000’s - Tony Martinez, 2017 Chevy Camaro
1st Runner Up - Richard Yelton, 2014 Chevy Camaro
2nd Runner Up - Sara Swift, 2023 Chevrolet 5500 Duramax
Pickups - Best of Class - Dallas Head, 1957 Chevy 3100
Big Trucks - Best of Class - Lake Shore Disposal, 2023 Peterbilt 520
Logging Trucks - Best of Class - Dan Green, 1961 International RdF 405
Hot Rods - Best of Class - Jason Wonenberg, 1965 Chevrolet Malibu
Grand Marshall’s Choice - Joe & Kim Weber, 1956 Chevrolet 210 Handyman Wagon
Sheriff’s Choice - Mike Pryor, 1946 Buick Truck
EMS’ Choice - John Sutton, 1965 Chevrolet Impala
People’s Choice - Becky Showman, 1927 Ford Model T
Best of Show - Joe & Kim Weber, 1956 Chevrolet 210 Handyman Wagon
