It was all about the children at the annual Forest Heritage Festival
“The children that Akron Children’s Hospital treats in just one year’s time would fill the Buckeye Stadium,” noted a spokesperson for the hospital prior to the beginning of the annual Forest Heritage Festival auction on Saturday, Oct. 21.
The auction was just one of many different activities that enthralled visitors during the Oct. 20-21 festival, held at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds in Dover to benefit Akron Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network. Tens of thousands of dollars were raised, with items selling for as little as a few dollars to loads of logs through the Log a Load for Kids program going for much more. Amish made furniture, sporting gear, quilts, handicrafts, and other miscellaneous items held the attention of the crowd for more than four hours, as Kaufman Auction auctioneers chanted on and on.
Food was plentiful, too. Homemade potato chips and donuts, hot soups, fries, burgers, creamy fudge, and many other delights filled the pathways throughout the festival. Craft and specialty vendors set up under the grandstand also reported a brisk business.
Steve Quillen, president of the Tuscarawas County Farm Bureau, was delighted with Saturday’s turnout specifically, particularly after cold, rainy weather on Friday kept many of the crowds away. Saturday’s sunny skies and balmy midday temperatures, however, brought out visitors in record numbers.
“We did have about 150 high school kids come through on Saturday, watching our Ag theater presentations and participating. They were troopers; they even sat outside in the rain and watched the lumberjack show. They came back in here and learned about corn, wheat, soybeans, and the dairy industry,” stated Quillen. “This is the biggest Saturday turnout we’ve ever had.”
Nearby, Barrett and Brady Evans, sons of Jeremy and Michelle Evans of Dover, eagerly pressed their faces to the glass of a small incubator as they watched three newly hatched chicks struggle to their feet.
“The kids today are absolutely fascinated with the chicks hatching,” commented Quillen.
The first ever radio controlled truck and tractor show was also a hit, with 70 vehicles competing. Caden and Kendall Melay, ages 8 and 4, were the two youngest competitors. The siblings, of Meadville, Pa., also hold world records in the sport. Although no new world records were set at the festival, everyone participating, including the fans who filled the stands, were enthusiastic and plan on returning in 2012.
For the first time, the Great Lakes Timber Show was on hand to entertain attendees.
Dale Bockrath, of Nelsonville, said he was introduced to the sport at Hocking College when he attended the Paul Bunyan Show while he was a forestry major student.
“I did forestry work many years, and then started competing. Eventually, I got into doing these demonstrations with my partners,” he explained. “We travel the eastern half of the country, from Oklahoma and the Dakotas, clear to the East Coast. I’m doing what I love. I do the chopping, axe throwing, and carving. We usually run two units at a time when we travel, with a three-man show.”
Organizers, which include volunteers from the local Walmart store, logger and forestry organizations, the Amish community, and many others, put many hours into planning the festival, and felt their efforts were well rewarded.
Karen Korns is one of two co-chairs, along with Trent Yoder.
“The turnout today has been fabulous. I think everyone was enjoying all the different activities going on. The car show was absolutely wonderful, with more cars than last year,” said Korns. “They are very happy with the results of the auction. We sold out quickly on the new sausage and pancake breakfast, too. The new things that we did this year will return next year.
“I just want to thank everyone who has come out,” she added. “The community has really supported this, and that’s the best thing we could ever ask for. It’s all for the hospital, and all for the kids, and that’s the way it should be.”
The auction was just one of many different activities that enthralled visitors during the Oct. 20-21 festival, held at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds in Dover to benefit Akron Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network. Tens of thousands of dollars were raised, with items selling for as little as a few dollars to loads of logs through the Log a Load for Kids program going for much more. Amish made furniture, sporting gear, quilts, handicrafts, and other miscellaneous items held the attention of the crowd for more than four hours, as Kaufman Auction auctioneers chanted on and on.
Food was plentiful, too. Homemade potato chips and donuts, hot soups, fries, burgers, creamy fudge, and many other delights filled the pathways throughout the festival. Craft and specialty vendors set up under the grandstand also reported a brisk business.
Steve Quillen, president of the Tuscarawas County Farm Bureau, was delighted with Saturday’s turnout specifically, particularly after cold, rainy weather on Friday kept many of the crowds away. Saturday’s sunny skies and balmy midday temperatures, however, brought out visitors in record numbers.
“We did have about 150 high school kids come through on Saturday, watching our Ag theater presentations and participating. They were troopers; they even sat outside in the rain and watched the lumberjack show. They came back in here and learned about corn, wheat, soybeans, and the dairy industry,” stated Quillen. “This is the biggest Saturday turnout we’ve ever had.”
Nearby, Barrett and Brady Evans, sons of Jeremy and Michelle Evans of Dover, eagerly pressed their faces to the glass of a small incubator as they watched three newly hatched chicks struggle to their feet.
“The kids today are absolutely fascinated with the chicks hatching,” commented Quillen.
The first ever radio controlled truck and tractor show was also a hit, with 70 vehicles competing. Caden and Kendall Melay, ages 8 and 4, were the two youngest competitors. The siblings, of Meadville, Pa., also hold world records in the sport. Although no new world records were set at the festival, everyone participating, including the fans who filled the stands, were enthusiastic and plan on returning in 2012.
For the first time, the Great Lakes Timber Show was on hand to entertain attendees.
Dale Bockrath, of Nelsonville, said he was introduced to the sport at Hocking College when he attended the Paul Bunyan Show while he was a forestry major student.
“I did forestry work many years, and then started competing. Eventually, I got into doing these demonstrations with my partners,” he explained. “We travel the eastern half of the country, from Oklahoma and the Dakotas, clear to the East Coast. I’m doing what I love. I do the chopping, axe throwing, and carving. We usually run two units at a time when we travel, with a three-man show.”
Organizers, which include volunteers from the local Walmart store, logger and forestry organizations, the Amish community, and many others, put many hours into planning the festival, and felt their efforts were well rewarded.
Karen Korns is one of two co-chairs, along with Trent Yoder.
“The turnout today has been fabulous. I think everyone was enjoying all the different activities going on. The car show was absolutely wonderful, with more cars than last year,” said Korns. “They are very happy with the results of the auction. We sold out quickly on the new sausage and pancake breakfast, too. The new things that we did this year will return next year.
“I just want to thank everyone who has come out,” she added. “The community has really supported this, and that’s the best thing we could ever ask for. It’s all for the hospital, and all for the kids, and that’s the way it should be.”
Published: October 24, 2011
