The first edition of Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival was organized as a side entertainment feature of the 1957 Fall Fair. It was such a success it was brought back in August 1958 to anchor a community festival celebrating the opening of the highway and the B.C. centennial.
It is now one of the oldest continuously running festivals in B.C. and has a long record of innovation, pioneering and setting standards.
The 1957 show was organized to raise money for an ambulance. Since then many charities and projects have benefited from the proceeds of the festival.
This festival has been our vehicle for celebrating Squamish, B.C. and Canada milestones. Now it celebrates its own diamond jubilee milestone.
It is totally unique, yet is still growing and changing with the community – now with multi-generational competitors, volunteers and visiting families from far and wide.
Happy Birthday, Squamish Days!
- by Eric Andersen
New events commemorate 60th anniversary
Attendees can expect to find some new additions to the Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival as part of its 60th birthday bash.
The organizers named some of the things they’re looking forward to unveiling during the event.
For those interested in expanding their culinary world, there will be a new event that hopes to please the foodie in all of us.
A lumberjack chili cook-off will be added to the regular kettle boil event.
Five local restaurants are expected to serve up their best chili, and tasters will get the chance to vote for their favourite dish.
The winner will be crowned with a hand-carved wooden spoon made of yew, as well as the accompanying bragging rights.
For those who are suckers for parades, the Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival will be breaking out its own take on the matter.
The event will be hosting its own parade, and the best three floats in the event will be selected by judges. The winner will be able to award $1,000 to a local charity.
And for the women who’ve always wanted to try their hand at the underhand-chop event – now’s your chance.
With more and more female competitors entering the fray, organizers have decided to add a new division to the underhand chop event for novice ladies interested in participating.
Other women’s events will be taking place during the show as well.
There will also be an acknowledgement of some of Squamish’s long-time residents, as well as the community’s deep historical ties to forestry.
“It’s the roots of Squamish and what Squamish is built on,” said Balez.
