30th annual forestry conclave, lumberjack fest set for March 3

Published 9:56 am Thursday, February 22, 2018

MILTON – Cross-cut sawing, axe throwing, pole tossing and bluegrass music are among the many activities on tap for the 30th Annual Northwest Florida Forestry Conclave and Lumberjack Festival.

Set for 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Pensacola State College’s Milton campus, 5988 U.S. 90, the free festival offers something for every age including children’s activities, food, nature and wildlife exhibits and more.

Forestry competitions for adults ─ ages 16 and older ─ will take place throughout the day and include compass and pacing, axe throwing, knife throwing, log rolling, cross-cut sawing, pulpwood tossing and other activities.

Youth events for ages 12-15 will be held from 8-10:30 a.m. and include compass and pacing, knife throwing and cross-cut sawing competitions.

Children ages 12 and younger can enjoy face painting, coloring, crafts and outdoor games from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Registration for the Lumberjack and Forestry Conclave Competition will start at 7:30 a.m. Senior citizens, middle and high school students and younger children compete for free. For other competitors, there is a $5 participation fee.

The festival also will include opportunities to learn about environmental degree programs offered by Pensacola and the University of Florida at the Milton campus.

While supplies last, festival-goers will receive free pine tree seedlings and information from experts on planting and proper care.

More than 40 exhibitors also will be on hand including Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site, the Gulf Coast Model A Club, Panhandle Butterfly House and the Pensacola State’s Mobile Welding Simulator.

Festival sponsors include Adventures Unlimited Outdoor Center, Alternative Health Food Store, Angie Davis, B & C Nursery, Blackwater Heritage Trail, Coca-Cola, Cosmetology Club – PSC Milton campus, EcoView Windows and Doors, , Flora-Bama Cutups, Florida Forest Service, Follett’s Bookstore – Milton, Grandpa John’s Wood Craft (John Hulse), Green-Up Nursery, Grover T’s (Mike Thomas), Hall’s Hardware, HomeTown Contractors, Jack’s Tree Service, Keep Santa Rosa Beautiful, Kona Ice, Paradise Printing, Lilla Rose – Debbie Bigelow-Jordan, Milton Quality Bakery, Milton Tastee Freeze, Mobile Attic, Over the Moon Prenatal Massage, Project Learning Tree – Santa Rosa County Extension Office, Phi Theta Kappa Milton campus, Rayonier Elberta Nursery, Santa Rosa County Extension 4-H, Texas Roadhouse, Trends Salon – Ashley Cruz, UF/IFAS Sea Grant Extension, University of Florida IFAS – West Florida Research and Education Center, and Wilson Lumber Company.