The US Forest Service-Pisgah Ranger District and
Haywood Community College invites people of all ages to celebrate the forest heritage
of Western North Carolina at the Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah Forest, NC during the
annual Forest Festival Day on Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 10:00 am-5:00 pm.
This activity-filled, family event commemorates the traditions of mountain living and
craft in the Cradle’s unique and beautiful setting. Forestry students, a local author,
traditional craftsmen and exhibitors will be on site during the celebration.
At the event, six colleges and universities will compete for a trophy in the Annual John
G. Palmer Intercollegiate Woodsmen’s Meet, organized by Haywood Community College
in Clyde, NC. Participating colleges and universities include: Haywood Community
College (Host) from Clyde, NC; Penn State Mont Alto, from Mont Alto, PA; Montgomery
Community College from Troy, NC; Wayne Community College from Goldsboro, NC;
Mountain Gateway Community College from Clifton Forge, VA; and NC State University
from Raleigh, NC.
Festival-goers can cheer as forestry students compete during the Woodsmen’s Meet
that has the flavor of an old-time lumberjack competition. Students will test their skills
in a number of events including archery, axe throwing, crosscut sawing, wood chopping,
chainsaw, log rolling, pole climbing and pole felling.
The Woodsmen’s Meet is held in the open field at the Pink Beds Picnic Area. This area
allows for the safety of participants and spectators while at the same time providing
opportunities to see all the action. Spectators are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket
for comfort. We are pleased to announce the return of STIHL as the event presenting
sponsor and Bojangles of Mills River will provide breakfast for each of the competing
students.
Festival goers can cut a tree “cookie” with a cross cut saw to take home. The following
community partners will also be joining us with information about their work/mission,
providing giveaways and other fun activities: STIHL, Society of American Foresters,
Hemlock Restoration Initiative, Muddy Sneakers, Local Author Gerald Ledford, Carolina
Mountain Club and FIND Outdoors.
Two presentations will be given during the event by local author, Gerald Ledford at
11:00 am and 1:00 pm in the sunken amphitheater of the Cradle Discovery Center. At
other times throughout the day, you can speak with Ledford as you climb aboard and
ring the bell of a 1914 Climax logging train engine permanently on site at the Cradle. A
PowerPoint presentation will feature railroad logging in the woods. Ledford’s paternal
grandfather Lewis Ledford worked as a mill superintendent for his brother-in-law Louis
Carr at Norwood Lumber at Forney Creek and Carr Lumber at Pisgah Forest, NC. His
father Bryson Ledford was born at Forney and named for Dr. Daniel Rice Bryson. Several
of Ledford’s great uncles were employed by the lumber mills at Forney, Ravensford,
Proctor and East LaPorte during the lumber boom of the early 1900s. The presentation
will feature many rare photographs of railroad logging in the Blue Ridge and Great
Smokies. Ledford enjoys hiking old railroad grades and has been researching the
logging railroads in western North Carolina for over 45 years. With Ron Sullivan, he has
co-authored five books of the history of logging railroads in western North Carolina
titled, “If Rails Could Talk….” The first 5 volumes are currently in print and are available
for purchase on site at the Cradle. Ledford has also provided information and
photographs for several authors as well as the Ken Burns Public Television series, “The
National Parks; America’s Best Idea.
The Trolley Company will provide a shuttle between the Cradle’s Forest Discovery
Center and the Pink Beds from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Pink Beds Picnic Area will be
closed to non-event use for the day.
Admission for this event is $10.00 ages 13 and up; $6.00 for youth ages 4-12, and $5 for
federal pass holders and Cradle season pass holders. Children under 4 years old are
admitted free. Tickets are available on-site at the Cradle the day of the event. Cash is
encouraged however, cards will be accepted. Learn more at:
Forest Festival Day & John Palmer Intercollegiate Woodsmen’s Meet