The much-loved Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival is back for another year to showcase the rich culture of the Squamish area and to entertain spectators for the long weekend.

Entering its 62nd year, the Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival always takes place over the BC Day long weekend in Squamish, about a 45-minute drive from Vancouver. The 2019 festival is scheduled to run from Thursday, August 1st to Monday, August 5th. This fun, family-friendly event features a packed schedule of world-class sporting competitions and plenty of opportunities to try delicious local food.

What started off as a one-day friendly competition held by local loggers now attracts competitors from all around the world. The competitors train hard to reach the levels of skill, strength, and stamina required to succeed, and the top competitors in each event are awarded cash prices.

Logger sports are among the most entertaining competitions to watch, and the good news is that many of the events at the Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival are free to attend. Events that do have an entry fee require payment on the day of. The festival is cash only, including the food and drink vendors that will be on-site.

The festival kicks off on Thursday with two events, the Kettle Boil Challenge and the Lumberjack Chili Cook-Off Invitational. Both events are free to attend and will be taking place at the Squamish Valley Golf Course at 6:30 pm, with the cook-off chili being served to the crowd during the Kettle Boil.

Festivities will continue on Friday at 3 pm with the World Championship Chair Carve at Winnipeg Street and Cleveland Avenue. Afterward, make sure you stick around to watch the Squamish Days Bed Races. A bed race consists of a bed on wheels pushed down a two-block obstacle course, and it is just as fun to watch as it sounds.

The weekend is when things really start to pick up at the Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival. Saturday starts with a Kids’ Festival in Downtown Squamish, followed by the Novice and Intermediate Loggers Sports Show at the Al McIntosh Loggers Sports Grounds. The night ends with the Axe Throw International on the Patio at Norman Rudy’s.

Start your Sunday off with a Pancake Breakfast at Chieftain Centre Mall, especially if you’ll be taking part in the Squamish Days 8K Run. If you’re just getting into running, then the Squamish Days Flashback Mile might be a better option. The family-favourite Festival Parade will be taking place after the runs at 11 am, followed by the World-Class Open Loggers Sports Show at Al McIntosh Loggers Sports Grounds. The Rotary Beef Barbecue will be held during the show.

The last day of the festival, BC Day, presents a great opportunity to wind down, grab breakfast downtown and explore the surrounding area. If you’re up for a challenging hike, then consider going up Stawamus Chief Mountain. For amazing views with much less effort, hop on the Sea to Sky Gondola to the top of Mount Habrich.

The Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival is always an exciting affair and, after 62 years, organizers certainly know how to put on a show. Come celebrate the province’s proud forestry tradition and do some exploring of the beautiful Squamish area while you are here.