Joe Manchin III, Governor
Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : October 3, 2007

Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov
Contact: Program Coordinator (304) 294-4000 twinfallsresort@wvdnr.gov

25th Annual Lumberjackin’ Bluegrassin’ Jamboree At Twin Falls Resort State Park October 12-14, 2007

The colorful brilliance of southern West Virginia deciduous forests provides the backdrop of the 25th Annual Lumberjackin’ Bluegrassin’ Jamboree at Twin Falls Resort State Park October 12th – 14, 2007. A family-oriented event, the Jamboree features a woodsman’s competition, bluegrass music, Appalachian clogging and a variety of arts and crafts by area residents.

Lumberjacks and jills from West Virginia University and Gilbert Lumber Company will take a center stage with a woodsman competition and demonstration. The lumberjackin’ is Saturday only and begins at 10 a.m. and concludes at approximately 1 p.m. Coordinated by Twin Falls Resort State Park, the WV Division of Forestry and Gilbert Lumber, the team events include the ax throw, log roll, crosscut saw, chain saw, one-man bucking, bolt splitting, horizontal chop, pole fell and more. The woodsman competition is held at the park’s ball field.

Though the team events create a lot of excitement, additional appearances occur during the Saturday morning program. Smokey Bear will visit the woodman competition on Saturday and will also be roaming around the lodge area greeting friends attending the arts and crafts exhibits.

The ‘Virginia Mountain Man,’ Don Blanchard, will demonstrate the art of chainsaw carving on Saturday from 10 a.m. to dusk. Blanchard’s carvings range from Smokey Bear to eagles and Indians. His wood artistry will be featured on the lodge lawn.

Bluegrass music by the Acord Family Bluegrass Band is featured Saturday at 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. This Wyoming County family group represents some of West Virginia’s best bluegrass music. Anyone attending the Jamboree over the years has come to appreciate the talent in Wyoming County with the Acord Family. The bluegrass concert will be held in front of the Twin Falls Restaurant both days.

Fancy footwork by the Appalachian Country Cloggers with Lou Maiuri is featured Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Oak Room. Sunday, the fancy footwork will be by the West Virginia Mountain Valley Cloggers at 1 p.m., also in the Oak Room.

Arts and crafts dot the interior and exterior of the Twin Falls Lodge area. Arts and crafts exhibits are open Saturday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Two of the park’s conference rooms, the Azalea Room and the Magnolia Room, will feature a variety of crafts. The Division of Forestry Exhibit will be set up in the Nature Center.

Hayrides will depart from the upper Pro Shop Parking Lot on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m..

Early arrivals to the 25th Annual Lumberjackin’ Bluegrassin’ Jamboree enjoy Friday entertainment in the form of storytelling with David “Bugs” Stover and Lynn Mills. Ecotheater Style dramatic presentation includes area ghost stories and tales of heritage from West Virginia lifestyles. Storytelling will begin promptly at 6 p.m. at the Park’s Campground Campfire Circle and concludes at 7 p.m. Dress for cool weather and bring a flashlight in the event the storytelling last longer.

Twin Falls Resort State Park is located in Wyoming County on Route 97. The Jamboree is open to the public and there is no admission charge. Food services are available by the Twin Falls Restaurant. Visitors are requested to dress comfortably, wear walking shoes and participate in keeping the park clean; littering is prohibited.

For more information contact: Twin Falls Resort State Park at (304) 294-4000 or 1-800 CALL WVA and ask for Twin Falls.

**DNR**