Our Hidden Treasure:
North Fork Loggers Jamboree
 North Fork, an historic town in California
(and also the official center of California)
is located in one of the most beautiful areas of the Sierra
Nevada. This quiet town
once bustled and thrived as a lumber town.
The mill was the town's main source of jobs for over 100 years not to
mention an incredible lumber production.
Peak years of operation were from 1985 through 1991. An average of 143 million board feet a year
(enough lumber for approximately 12,000 single family homes) was produced. The operation was profitable and
efficient. Ultimately, however,
increasing costs and restrictions ended local lumber production and the mill
officially closed on February 25, 1994.
However,
visitors to North Fork during the first weekend in July will find the spirit and
skills that resulted in the mill being the productive and successful business
that it was are alive and well today.
Step back in time and learn about the men and women who made their
livelihood from trees. Mark your
calendar and fill that gas tank and join us for the 50th Loggers Jamboree in North Fork, California.
There
are men and women today who still earn their living through logging. During the Jamboree, using the skills needed
to harvest logs and  turn them into usable products are demonstrated during a
variety of competitions. For many of the
local North Fork families, it's a tradition to
compete in these events!
Some
of the exciting event include log birling (try balancing on a log and roll it
in the swimming hole while trying to cause your competitor to lose his/her
balance), Jack and Jill events (team competition with one man and one woman),
tree felling (having that tree fall where you want it to) and so much
more. There are also events where
amateurs and professionals pair up and compete against each other. Watching these events, you come to appreciate
and respect the toughness, skill and pride of those who provided the lumber to
meet the demands of early California
after the discovery of gold as well as today's needs.
The
events are fun, family oriented and serves another important purpose as
well. Profits are used for the summer
youth program in North Fork. The Boosters are a non-profit organization
who own and maintain the North Fork Recreation Center
and the North Fork
Town Hall. There
are quite a few events and activities to choose from so let's get started with
a list so you may plan your adventure and not miss a thing!
SATURDAY,
JULY 4TH
· NORTH FORK RECREATION
CENTER
Pro-Am
Contest begins at 11:00 am at the North
Fork Recreation Center
Horseshoe
Pitching Contest at Noon
· MAIN STREET
Grand
Parade starting at 5:00 pm
· TOWN HALL
BBQ
beginning at 6:00 pm ($8/adults & $5/children under 12
· NORTH FORK RECREATION
CENTER
Woodchoppers
Ball and Queen Coronation 8:30 pm
$8/person or $15/couple
SUNDAY,
JULY 5TH
· NORTH FORK TOWN HALL
Lions
Club Pancake Breakfast 7:00 am - 10:00
am
· NORTH FORK RECREATION
CENTER
Gates
open at 10:00 am
Noon:
Jamboree Main Logging Events begin
Tickets
- $2 until July 3rd. and $5 for adults
at the gate; children under 12 Free.
For
further information and exciting event videos for 2008, please visit the North
Fork Chamber of Commerce web site at www.north-fork-chamber.com | 
a detached guest house.