The annual Lumberjack Day in nearby West Point takes place annually on the first Saturday of October, and is hugely popular with locals and visitors alike… they call it the “Biggest Little Celebration in the Mother Lode” for a reason.
Yellow Submarine entry
For over 40 years, this event has featured a day packed with fun, old-fashioned activities for the entire family. Highlights include a parade (full of local color and humor), soap box derby (with contestants from all over Northern California), The Lawn Chair Brigade (performing now for over a decade), and of course the lumberjack competition with big timbers, an axe throwing contest, Jack and Jill bucking, and chainsaw contests.
Yes, that’s a man riding an alligator!
But that’s not all. Directly after the parade, the children’s area opens with a climbing wall, face painting, bounce houses, free petting zoo and wait… a dunk tank? Oh yes, that too!
Vendors line the street, with yummy food and fun gift items like souvenir caps and t-shirts, there’s a car show displaying classic and vintage cars, and live entertainment including juggling and music. There’s a volunteer Fire Department BBQ selling tri-tip sandwiches, a horseshoe competition and the Community Garden is open for exhibits and a shady rest area.
When the beer can explodes, you know you’ve hit the bullseye.
This event celebrates the history and traditions of the Calaveras County lumber industry with community spirit, and fun, family-friendly entertainment.
Plan to get to Lumberjack Day early for the soap box derby which kicks off at 8:30 am. For those able to attend even earlier, a pancake breakfast gets started at 7:00 am at the VFW Auxiliary Hall on Highway 26 and Pine Street, across from the red Community Covenant Church. The Lumberjack Day King and Queen Scholarship winners are announced and crowned at 9:30 am. The parade begins at 11:00 am, while the horse shoe competition begins at 12:30 pm and the logging show and axe throwing contest begin at 1 pm and run throughout the afternoon.
