Chainsaw art event returns to Williamston

Back by popular demand, Chainsaw Art in the Park Encore! will bring regional chainsaw artists to Williamston’s

McCormick Park, 230 N. Putnam St., on Saturday, Oct. 4. Offering many favorite activities from last year's

successful weekend revitalizing the park’s tree sculptures, this family friendly event will feature live chainsaw

carving, quick carve auction, music, food trucks, kids' activities, wood art vendors, portable sawmill and euchre

tournament. Proceeds will benefit local park improvements.

Several regional artists will be carving throughout the day, creating works to be auctioned off at 4 p.m. A

highlight will be the quick carve event, in which each carver will have 60 minutes to complete a carving from a 4-

foot section of white pine. Emil Skzipala, of Sterling Heights, Michigan, and James Denkins, of Cooks, Michigan,

will be carving 10-foot sculptures beginning Thursday, Oct. 2 that will be completed during the Encore! event

and permanently installed in McCormick Park. One will be created in honor of the Friends of Williamston Parks’

10th anniversary, and the other will celebrate the Williamston Area Beautification Fund’s positive impact on the

community.

The 2024 People’s Choice and Best of Show award winner, Szkipala stated, “It’s an honor to be invited back to

Williamston and create something beautiful to commemorate the community’s artistic spirit. Being from

Romania and professionally trained there, I try to bring an old-world style and meticulous detail to my work.”

In addition to live carving, there will be many special events. Little Lumberjacks will offer inflatables, balloon

animals, face painting, a wood craft, paint a car and more. Live music at 5:30 p.m. will feature Jessey Adams, an

award-winning singer/songwriter showcasing a combination of outlaw and traditional style country music. There

will be live edge slabs for sale, wood artists and food trucks.

“Last year’s Chainsaw Art in the Park was supposed to be a one-time event to redo the tree sculptures in

McCormick Park that had deteriorated over time. However, many people enjoyed it and requested a similar event

this year,” said FOWP board member Lina Chapman. “We wanted to do something to celebrate the 10th

anniversary of the Friends of Williamston Parks and hold our annual euchre tournament that was postponed due

to a tornado warning, so we combined all three goals into one event.”

Major sponsors include City of Williamston, Friends of Williamston Parks, Hutson, Inc., LaFollette Custom

Homes, Studio Shop, Top Notch Tree Care, Williamston Area Beautification Fund, Williamston Inn,

and Williamston Pub & Grill. Find event updates and a complete schedule at Friends of Williamston Parks on

Facebook and Instagram. Friends of Williamston Parks began in 2015 to focus on park improvement efforts. For

more information, visit www.williamstonparks.org or e-mail williamstonparks@gmail.com.