Logging legends from near and far gathered this past weekend to relive glory days and tell some truly tall tales. The 50th anniversary reunion held at the Brennan Park Leisure Centre brought together competitors and volunteers who worked throughout the decades to make Squamish Days Loggers Sports the exciting spectacle it is today.
Unless you happened to be a former Timber Queen or Princess, only those who had been a part of Squamish Days Loggers Sports for at least five years were invited to attend.
Corinne Lonsdale organized the event and said the whole night was about reconnecting with old friends and revisiting the past."The chance to recognize people like this doesn't come along all the time," said Lonsdale. "We felt that it was very important that for our 50th anniversary we do something special."
That included viewing pictures of past Timber Queens and Princesses as well as copies of the many articles about Squamish Days. There was also a decade-by-decade presentation of highlights from the history of Loggers Sports.
A constant topic in the archived articles was Ron Hartill, from New Zealand. If there was such a thing as a hall of fame for loggers, Hartill would likely have cut the first beam.
"I can't tell you the number of championships I've won," said Hartill, who says he loved running into to old rivals and friends."It's a thrill, we talk about the old times, and watch the new guys do their thing" said Hartill. "The guys today are doing a heckuva job."
Despite the nostalgic joy of going back in time, Hartill said an event such as this becomes bittersweet.
"I recently had my old Super 8 footage transferred to DVD," said the legendary logger who seems as tall as some of the trees he once cut down. "It's discouraging when you realize this guy's not here or that guy's gone."
Fellow Kiwi and former Squamish resident Denise Marr took in the weekend's events with her husband Jim and their daughter Toni, who resides in England. The couple used to travel to many of the loggers competitions as participants and volunteers when they lived in the area 24 years ago.
Marr said the sight she enjoyed the most was watching the Hart family compete; Gord Hart, along with son Greg and grandson Stirling, all took part in the standing butcher block chop on Sunday.
"Seeing the three generations of Harts compete was wonderful. That's something you don't see everyday."
