Wrangell, Alaska is a tiny island town that goes all out for the 4th of July.
KSTK spent the celebration documenting Randy Oliver’s last logging show. The event is named after Randy’s dad, Chuck Oliver, who started the event in 1975. The father-son duo ran the event for years to add some showmanship and competition to the holiday. Chuck passed away this year in March, and Randy is retiring from the event. But the show will go on, Randy is passing all the axes, chainsaws and “misery whips” down to Thomas Roland.
Thomas may not have been a logger like the Olivers, but he is a forester with the local Forest Service district. Plus he’s been competing in the event since he moved to town, so he’s ready to make sure this main-stay event continues.
Thanks to all our subjects and to you for tuning in.
