Steamboat Pilot & Today

Craig — When the historic cottonwoods shading Craig City Park began to deteriorate several years ago, the Craig Parks and Recreation Department decided to leave the tree stumps for local artists to decorate with elaborate carvings.

The tree carvings were received so positively by the community that Parks and Rec has since sponsored a popular annual tree carving event that Craig Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Christina Currie calls "a wonderful way for the city to give back and say 'thank you' to the community."

The eighth annual Whittle the Wood Rendezvous is scheduled for June 13 to 16 at Craig City Park.

The competition often draws chainsaw artists from across the nation, and even from around the world.

The public is invited to watch a select group of invited artists carve 10 large cottonwood logs that will be brought into the park and set vertically in the ground.

When the masterpieces are complete on the Saturday of the event, the public, artists and three independent judges will choose the people's choice and artist's choice awards for the carvings in addition to three Best of Show cash prizes.

The Saturday celebration is an all-day event in the park. As the artists' finished carvings are judged, folks can picnic in the park and enjoy the variety of food vendors and arts and crafts booths.

The annual Moffat County Young Life car show, held downtown, is another weekend hit. It includes an array of classics and, new this year, the show will include motorcycles.

Prizes awarded include Judges' Choice, People's Choice and Young Life Choice. The funds raised at the event benefit the youth mentoring program.

A shuttle runs between downtown and City Park.

There also will be a free concert, which serves as the culmination of the rendezvous and one of Craig's premier summer events.

Visit www.craig-chamber.com for more information on Moffat County's events and attractions.