Mackinaw City, Michigan

Jack Pine Lumberjack Shows

A Northwoods sporting competition that shows lumber jacks doing much more than cutting down trees.

The Jack Pine Lumberjack Show is an entertaining Michigan sporting exhibition that pits two visiting lumberjacks against each other in a series of traditional “games.”

Events include wood and springboard chopping, pole climbing (60-foot), log-rolling, bow-sawing, and axe throwing. An MC provides event descriptions and histories while bantering with the contestants and engaging the audience.

The audience itself is divided into halves, with each group assigned to root for one of the competitors. The signature cheer is “TIMBER!” when a competitor has completed, or is about to complete, one of the contested tasks. Audiences are also encouraged to lustily boo the other half’s competitor.

After the competition, kids are chosen from the crowd for a “Timber”-yelling contest and all audience members are invited after the show to meet and take pictures with competitors as well as grab a wood scrap to take home as a souvenir.

The show lasts approximately 60-90 minutes, though it can go longer if competitors are tied and an overtime session is needed to settle the winner. Bleacher-style seating is provided with an overhead roof. During warmer months it is suggested that one brings water and bug spray; both are also sold at the show’s commissary along with light snacks and wood carvings.