Just a short drive from Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens, where towering timbers have defined the identity of small towns around the Cascade foothills, one event so perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the region that it has been a mainstay for three quarters of a century. For the last 75 years the Morton Loggers Jubilee, has been the iconic celebration of logging and timber history for the entire Pacific Northwest, emphasizing and remembering all that the industry has done for the region and for the nation. What started out as a logging competition among locals has become the “granddaddy of all logging shows,” making this event a cannot-miss family experience with the best lumbermen in the world. Mark August 10 – 13, 2017 on your calendar and make Morton your weekend destination.
The Morton Loggers Jubilee has been inspiring loggers to showcase their craft since it was created. Year after year, following the friendly banter and verbal jabs between competitors, the challenges and competition quickly quiets down the loudest talkers, leaving both the losers and the crowds in sheer awe at the incredible skills of these world-class loggers. The most famous example to come out of the events over the weekend is Kenneth “Kelly” Stanley, who suffered a loss at a tree climbing event at the Jubilee in 1957. After that defeat he trained on trees around the region, promising never to lose so badly again. Stanley would become the world champion tree climber in 1962, bringing international attention to both the event and the towns in the area.
“For a long time, logging was the way of life out here. The town of Morton and east Lewis County still has an affinity for the logging industry. This event helps us celebrate the past members of the community and the way they lived,” explained Linda Mettler, co-manager of the Morton Loggers Jubilee. “The event is a way we celebrate the diversity of cultures around the Pacific Northwest while we work to preserve something that has been so outstanding to the region and hope others appreciate the same way.”
The Morton Loggers Jubilee will once again feature some of the top competitors in the nation, returning to Morton in hopes of taking home the fame and glory of an event championship. While there are 12 events this year, the most popular are the axe throw, speed climbing and billing, most commonly known by those outside of the logging world as log rolling. With over $20,000 in prize money to be awarded, you can bet that the competition will be fierce. The logging shows will take place on Saturday and Sunday, with tickets just $8 a day for adults, $5 for seniors and children ages 6-12, and free for children five and under. While logging has slowed in Morton, the major logging businesses continue to support Morton for their important role in the community, helping instill pride for their hometown.
“When people see the Morton Loggers Jubilee for the first time, they gain an appreciation for the hard work of loggers’ daily activities,” said Linda. “We don’t see the everyday life of a logger and when we people get to see them in action for the first time, it is amazing.”
What makes the Morton Loggers Jubilee so great is that surrounding the logging shows are incredible events, parades, races and more. The event kicks off on Thursday, August 10, with the 62nd annual queen coronation at Morton High School. On Friday the Morton Loggers Jubilee continues to warm up for the weekend with tours of Hampton Mill taking place from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Then, the lawnmower races start, which is an event that is sure to become a family favorite. In front of a packed house watch and marvel as blade-free mowers race around the course, vying for the fastest times. This event is one of the most-popular and always enjoyable!
Saturday is the day to come to Morton if you only have one day. Starting at 6:00 a.m. and lasting until after midnight, the day is full of activities and fun. You can enjoy a loggers’ breakfast, run a 10k, watch the always entertaining and festival favorite, Bed Races on Main Street, and then stay for the Jubilee Grand Parade at 11:30 a.m. down Main Street. After noon, there is the first logging show at 2:00 p.m., followed up at 8:00 p.m. by a concert from the extremely talented and Grammy-nominated, Brandy Clark, who is from Morton! She will be performing songs from her album “Big Day in a Small Town,” which is also this year’s Loggers’ Jubilee theme. After the show if you still have energy, a street dance starts at 9:00 p.m, which is a great way to mix and mingle with locals and visitors alike. Sunday the Jubilee ends with another breakfast from 6:00 a.m. until noon and wraps up with the final day of the logging show starting at noon.
If you plan on attending, remember that the camp sites and hotels in Morton fill up quickly for the entire weekend, so plan on driving a little to get to town. Your best bet is a stay at the Seasons Motel right in town. It will fill up, so act fast! If Morton is full, consider staying a few miles away at the Mill Village in Eatonville just 35 minutes away. Or, if you would rather use the hotel as a base camp for adventures into Mount Rainier National Park when not at the Jubilee, the Nisqually Lodge in Ashford and the Crest Trail and Cowlitz River Lodges in Packwood make for a perfect home-away-from-home while enjoying the events and scenery. No matter where you stay, just make sure you do not miss the amazing Pacific Northwest experiences found in Morton during this year’s Loggers’ Jubilee.
When asked why people should attend this year’s events, Linda Mettler wants everyone to know: “I think that people need to take a tank full of gas and venture out into an area they might not see very often. Morton is still here, and we are a working, vibrant community. It is a great community effort, showing the best of who we are. The event allows us to be able to give back to where we live, offering proceeds from the event to local sports teams, building new playground equipment in Jubilee Park and letting us have a sustainable community that gives to those in need.”
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