back to Pike Pioneer Museum

By JAINE TREADWELL

Features Editor

The plaid-clad men of the Great Northern woods thrilled hundreds of people, young and old, last year when they came south and set up camp at Pike Pioneer Museum.

The "men of steel" provided images of man against the impossible along with the sport derived out of a nation’s heritage.

Once again, on Saturday, Nov. 11, the Lumberjacks will be in Troy to demonstrate the skills that made the lumberjacks legends in their own time.

Scheer’s Lumberjacks will present three shows at Pike Pioneer Museum – 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

"Scheer’s Lumberjacks Shows have been captivating audiences for 17 years," said Charlotte Gibson, museum director. "Last year was the first time the lumberjacks had been in our area and the

response was so great that we asked them to come back again this year. Those who saw them last year will want to see them again. Those who didn’t, won’t want to miss them again."

The show includes ax throwing, chopping, log rolling, cross cut sawing, hot sawing and chainsaw carving.

"These century old skills were used in the logging camps of North America," Gibson said. "To pass idle time, lumberjacks would challenge each other in head-to-head competitions."

Although technology and machinery have replaced manual labor, the skills are still used today by the lumberjacks in Scheer’s shows.

Gibson said spectators will be a part of the excitement as competitors race up 60-foot poles at lightning speed or saw through 12 inches of aspen with the speed of the modern chain saw.

"When they show off their fancy footwork while rolling logs or throwing the ax, you’ll be on the edge of your seat," Gibson said.

Scheer’s Lumberjack Shows have been featured on ABC’s Wide World of Sports, TNN, ESPN Jeep Trails, Discovery Channel’s The Travelers, MTV’s The Real World and Road Rules and the Family Channel and the Outdoor Life Network.

In addition to the millions who have been thrilled by the lumberjacks on television, Sheer’s Lumberjack Shows have drawn audiences of more than a million.

"Scheer’s Lumberjack Show is an exciting and entertaining adventure providing a unique blend of sports, history and comedy," Gibson said. "The show is an opportunity for the audience to experience a nostalgic logging competition of the early 1900s. We hope everyone will make their plans to welcome the lumberjacks to Pike County."

Tickets to the show are $8 for adults and $2 for students through the 12th grade. The admission price includes all day entrance to the show, the Pioneer Day activities and the museum. Museum members are admitted at no charge. For information on group discounts or on ticket information call, 566-3597.

The show is sponsored by Hendricks Ace Homecenter and Husqvarna.