Pall your bunions – the lumberjacks are coming

The East-versus-West lumberjack challenge will play out Sept. 15-16 in Privateer Park and is being organized by Greenfield residents, Moyal and Suzanne Conrad.

Moyal’s “baby,” says Suzanne, is used in what is called the hot saw contest. “It’s always the crowd’s favourite,” she says about the fast and furious competition.

Suzanne and Moyal’s love for the sport resulted in the competition, which usually attracts 2,000 to 5,000 spectators each year and international television coverage.

This year, for example, Suzanne says, a German television crew is coming and the French version of ESPN is expected in addition to local crews.

Their initiative comes naturally. Moyal has won too many awards and competitions throughout North America and beyond to mention.

His latest triumph occurred Sept. 2 in Shipshaw, Quebec. He was the overall champion in “Challenge Europe-Canada,” a competition that pitted the best eight Europeans, including competitors from France, Great Britain, Spain, and Sweden, against Canada’s best.

Moyal was the only Nova Scotian.

“That was pretty stiff competition,” he says. “I just had a good day.”

He has also qualified for the Still Finals in London, Ontario, which, if he does well, could lead to an all-expenses paid trip to the world championships in Germany. The competition is Sept. 13, he says, “and then I’ll fly home to help set up our show.”

Suzanne says they have signed up 50 entries for Saturday’s events, and are now turning people away. She says the competitors are from across Canada.

“Saturday is an open competition where anyone can apply and compete. On Sunday, it’s by invitation only.”

Saturday, however, is a qualifier for the Eastern team. Even Moyal, with his record, must do well to compete on Sunday. When questioned, Suzanne jokes once again. “I’m going to be too busy to cheer for anyone.”

The West’s team is already in place.

About 15 events will be held on each day, including four women’s events, she says, adding these are always crowd pleasers as well. She expects about seven women will compete from each half of the country.

Some of the events include the Axe Throw, Hot Saw, Underhand Block Chop, Stock Saw, Obstacle Pole Bucking, Springboard Chop, and Tree Climb, to name just a few examples.

A Jack and Jill competition, involving, of course, teams of men and women, will also be held on Saturday.

Two relays and a hot saw demonstration will be held on Sunday in addition to the competitions between Canada’s best lumberjacks.

The action will be enjoyable away from the flying splinters as well.

They include a Silent Auction, food vendors, sponsor merchant booths, a public breakfast and, later, dance at the Liverpool Fire Hall, bagpipers, a competitor’s meet and greet and awards banquet, a dunk tank, surprise high-climbing tree act, harvester loading competition, and, as Moyal says, “lots of big equipment.”

Both Moyal and Suzanne add many of the events will be raising money for Log A Load For Kids, a charitable organization that will use the event to make a donation to the IWK Hospital in Halifax.

Spectators, and they are expected to arrive from locations around the world, are asked to bring a lawn chair to the events, which will occur rain or shine.

Tickets are available at MacPherson’s in Liverpool, the Greenfield General Store, Caledonia Clover Farm Grocery Store, and the Bridgewater Pharmasave. An adult day pass, weekend pass and children’s pass are $7, $12 and $2 respectively.

Moyal is understandably excited about bringing his favourite sport to Queens County. “It’s unique, something you might never have seen before and probably won’t be here again, and something our grandfathers started and passed down to us. It’s going to be a fun filled weekend of activities and there’s going to be something here for everyone.”