The Great Lakes Timber Show will be the featured event Aug.4 and 5 at Heritage Days and Rail Fest in New London.
Those who are inquisitive about history will enjoy demonstrated skills used in the lumber industry. Lumberjacks will demonstrate log rolling, chainsaw carving, axe throwing, wood chopping, and modified chain sawing. Audience members are welcomed and encouraged to participate in several events. The show includes a friendly two-man crosscut sawing competition.
Great Lakes Timber has scheduled show times at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4 and Sunday, Aug. 5.
Saturday and Sunday entertainment:
• Great Lakes Timber Show times at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Self-guided tours of six historical buildings including an octagon house, Simmon’s garage,one room school, chapel, log cabin, and train depot. Each building is adorned with historical artifacts from the New London area. Railroad equipment that is open for inspection includes a diesel locomotive, Soo Line wooden caboose built in 1888, Chicago & North Western steel caboose, and Soo Line boxcar. The train depot has extensive displays of railroad items and memorabilia from the day excursions to Milwaukee, Chicago, Green Bay and further destinations.
• Visit a pre-1840’s buck skinner’s encampment that allows families to see firsthand the way fur trappers worked and lived. Tents feature historic demonstrations of wool carding, spinning wheels and host other artisans who sell polished stones, leather goods, beaded jewelry and more. They are very knowledgeable about the 1840s era and are happy to answers questions. A log cabin near the woods acts as a trading post. Nearby is a hawk and knife toss. Camp fires are tended to as the buck skinners prepare their daily meals.
• A 100 year anniversary Girl Scout display highlights local history of Girl Scouting.
• Cash and basket raffles (drawn on Sunday at 3pm. Need not be present to win.)
• Food and refreshments on site.
These items are additions to the Sunday schedule:
• Non-denominational church service in the village chapel at 10:30 a.m.
• Morning Bake Sale starts at 10 a.m.
• Cash & Basket Raffle Drawing winners announced in the depot at 3 p.m.
Location/Admission
This show is located at New London’s Historical Village on the east side of the city. Residents of New London may travel east on Beacon Avenue past Beacon Street Deli, and pass the old Simmon’s plant. By crossing the railroad tracks and taking the first right, you will soon see the entrance to Memorial Park and the Historical Village. Society members are proud to welcome the crowd to their immaculate Historical Village, a hidden gem within New London’s fair city. New London’s Historical Village is located at 900 Montgomery Street.