The Chainsaws & Chuckwagons Festival roars to Frederick with artists from across the United States, family fun and more

Sawdust will fly around the town of Frederick when the Chainsaws & Chuckwagons event takes place Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Centennial Park, 630 Eighth St.

Chainsaw carving combines modern tools with the ancient art of wood carving. Carvers use a variety of styles, skills, and themes in creating their pieces.

The event will feature 10 wood carvers from seven states and around the world who will transform huge tree trunks into amazing works of art.

Carvers performing at this year’s festival are:

• Ryan Anderson of Salem, Oregon
• Justin Driver of Farmington, Kentucky
• Fernando Dulnuan of Wellston, Oklahoma
• Chris Foltz of South Bend, Oregon
• Nate Hall of Lincoln, Nebraska
• Philip “Blacka” Kajemusuk from Boulder
• Matt Ounsworth of Fort Collins
• Niels Ejnar Petersen from Braedstrup, Denmark
• Joe Srholez from Gypsum
• Joe Wenal of Orlando, Maine
• Molly Wiste from Hackensack, Minnesota

The carvers begin the event on Wednesday morning by selecting their logs and setting up stalls with a variety of pieces, from small wooden paper towel holders to tall outdoor totem poles and everything in between.

Carvers will work on a major masterpiece and compete in “Quick Carve” competitions. In the quick carve competitions, the carvers’ skill and speed are measured against time as they try to complete a piece within an hour. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on quick carve pieces after each event and cast their vote for their favorite masterpiece.

During the “Chuckwagon” portion of the festival, attendees can purchase snacks, desserts, drinks and other foods from food trucks like Cheese Love Grill, Edge Gourmet Street Kitchen, It’s All Greek to Me, Origins Pizza, Snowy Churro, Ting’s Things and others. There will also be a beer garden at the event.

New to the festival this year are the Ax Women Loggers of Maine, an all-female team of logging athletes that includes world champion choppers, saws, log rollers and ax throwers. The Lumber-Jills are ready to provide high-energy entertainment for visitors of all ages with nine shows throughout the festival.

On Friday, attendees will have the opportunity to shop at the farmers’ market, which runs from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the festival. The market features fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, dairy, and more.

The event concludes at 7pm on Saturday with an auction of pieces created in the day’s quick carving competitions and the announcement of the chainsaw carving master.

Entry to Chainsaws & Chuckwagons is free and all ages are welcome. Attendees should bring cash or debit or credit cards if they wish to purchase food, drink, or artwork and items on display at the festival. Carvers and Food Trucks do not accept checks.

For more information, including the full program of events, visit