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   Hackensack will celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the annual Chainsaw Event this Friday through Sunday, Sept. 26-28. Twelve carvers from around the country will compete in this incredible event.

   Carving begins at 9 a.m. Friday and will extend throughout the day. Local school students will enjoy the All American Lumberjack Show at 10:30 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. with a family show. Rendezvous Brewing will be releasing a special new beer at noon. At 3 p.m. the chainsaw quick carves will begin.

   The Fall Booya Soup Fundraiser Dinner with Faith in Action runs from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at Union Congregational United Church. Booya is a rich stew, slow-cooked to perfection overnight in a giant cauldron with several kinds of meats and loads of vegetables. Add some great fresh bread, dessert, and live music with Larry Kimball and Friends and you have a superb evening of good food and fun. Test your knowledge with Team Trivia at Rendezvous Brewing from 6 to 8 p.m. and cap off the evening at the American Legion Post with music and dancing with Fam-Damily from 7 to 11 p.m.

   The saws will begin humming again Saturday morning at 9 a.m. as carvers continue to fashion their masterpiece carves. The American Legion Auxiliary will host breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Shop the farmer’s market at the Hackensack Hub from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The All American Lumberjack Show will host family shows at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Be sure to register for the chainsaw carving auction taking place at 2 p.m., registration begins at the information booth at 1 p.m.

  Enjoy a fabulous spaghetti dinner hosted by the Hackensack Area Fire & Rescue Department at the fire hall beginning at 4 p.m. Head over to Birchwood Char House & Bar for music and dancing from 6 - 9 p.m. Conclude Saturday’s activities with electronic horse and pig racing at the American Legion at 7 p.m. 

   Kick off the final day of the event Sunday morning with breakfast hosted by the Sons of the American Legion from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the Legion Post. The final performance of the All American Lumberjacks will take place at 10:30 a.m. Carvers will be putting the finishing touches to their masterpiece carves prior to the auction at noon, with registration opening one hour prior at the information booth. At the end of the day you can head back over to the American Legion at 5 p.m. for the meat raffle.

   Don’t forget to get your raffle tickets for chances at great cash prizes of $1,000, $800, $600, $400 and $200. Find your tickets throughout Hackensack at local businesses and the Hackensack Chamber of Commerce office. Drawings for prizes will be held at Sunday’s auction and you need not be present to win. 

   This year’s lineup of carvers include: Ben Buschke of Manawa, WI; Ben Semler, Brainerd; Chad Danczyk, Eagle River, WI; Chad Kilpatrick, Wills Port, TX; James Brinley, Grenville, SC; Justin Driver, Farmington, KY; Kent TeVelde, Wayzata; Hackensack’s own Molly Wiste; Nate Hall, Lincoln, NB; Scott Leederman, Chatfield, TX; Steven Higgins, Kansas City, MO and Trivis Kimball of Waterloo, IA. 

   Whether you visit for  hand crafted wooden pieces, original jewelry, trinkets, dancing or fabulous food, there are no reasons not to visit Hackensack’s 21st Annual Chainsaw Carving event! 

   Event scheduling may change due to weather conditions.

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