The annual Lumberjack Day in nearby West Point takes place annually on the first Saturday of October, and is hugely popular with locals and visitors alike… they call it the “Biggest Little Celebration in the Mother Lode” for a reason.
For over 40 years, this event has featured a day packed with fun, old-fashioned activities for the entire family. Highlights include the largest parade in the county (full of local color and humor), soap box derby (with contestants from all over Northern California), The Lawn Chair Brigade (performing now for over a decade), and of course the lumberjack show and competition that attracts competitors from all over the United States for its men and women’s events, big timbers, axe throwing, hot rod saws, choker setting, Jack and Jill saw bucking, and chainsaw contests.
But that’s not all. Directly after the parade, the children’s area opens with a climbing wall, face painting, bounce houses, free petting zoo and wait… a dunk tank? Oh yes, that too!
Vendors line the street, with yummy food and fun gift items like souvenir caps and t-shirts, there’s a car show displaying classic and vintage cars, live entertainment, the Volunteer Fire Department BBQ, a horseshoe competition, Community Garden exhibits, and a shady rest area.
This event celebrates the history and traditions of the Calaveras County lumber industry with community spirit, and fun, family-friendly entertainment.
Plan to get to Lumberjack Day early for the soap box derby which kicks off at 8:30 am. For those able to attend even earlier, a pancake breakfast gets started at 7:00 am at the VFW Auxiliary Hall on Highway 26 and Pine Street, across from the red Community Covenant Church. The Lumberjack Day King and Queen Scholarship winners are announced and crowned at 9:30 am. The parade begins at 11:00 am, while the horse shoe competition begins at 12:30 pm and the logging show and axe throwing contest begin at 1 pm and run throughout the afternoon.
