The city of Grand Rapids first started as a logging town over a hundred years ago. While the city has grown with UPM Blandin paper mill, members of the community still stick to their roots with the lumber industry.

Dr. Lee Jess, founded Tall Timber days nearly four decades ago, bringing lumberjack activities, chainsaw art and other vendors to Grand Rapids. He says

“Tall Timber Days started 43 years ago, like I said. And it’s based on the lumber industry, the Blandin, and the woods and all that,” Dr. Jess said. “What it means for Grand Rapids is Grand Rapids has something to celebrate, something to be a part of. When people come here, they come from all over, and they keep coming from a lot of different areas.”

One of the many newcomers to the biggest timber festival in the Northland is Terry Markwardt, the owner of Grill Wise Gadgets. He traveled all the way from Austin, Texas to sell his grilling tools as a vendor to Tall Timber Days. He says his first year there is going really well, and he’d would love to come back again next year.

“I’m a retired mechanical engineer. I have 15 patents, and I make stuff in my shop. This is my retirement hobby.” Markwardt said. “Gives me a good reason to get away from the wife for a weekend. She’s happier than I am.”

While there’s plenty of art vendors, delicious food and chainsaw art, one of the crowd favorite games at Tall Timber Days is log rolling. Casey Langseth and her family have been involved with log rolling for many years. She says they keep coming back to tall timber days, because of how welcoming the people are in Grand Rapids.

“The people in Grand Rapids could not be more hospitable, welcoming, and friendly. It is truly one of our favorite opportunities to get out and share the love of Log Rolling, but also making sure that we have an opportunity to meet the wonderful people that are around the community,” Langseth said. “For people who want to try Log Rolling, it is more difficult than it looks. Kids always make it look easier, but the most important thing is move your feet quickly, keep your center of gravity high, and keep it steady. The more you wobble and lean, the more likely you are to fall in. But always move those feet.”

Tall Timber Days continues tomorrow, and the Kiwanis club will be serving a pancake breakfast from 8am-12pm.

For more information about the activities happening at Tall Timber Days you can read more here. Also for other stories happening in Grand Rapids you can read more here.