This year marks a time of transition for the annual Fourth of July logging show, with new leadership and a mix of old and new events.
And a new name.
Instead of the Chuck Oliver Logging Show, it will be known as the Wrangell Fourth of July Logging Show.
Adrienne McLaughlin, whose grandfather was Chuck Oliver, said trees add new rings which reflect growth and changing times while building around a central core.
“Grandpa Chuck’s spirit will always be a part of the story, but it’s time to enlarge the story,” McLaughlin said.
She will serve as this year’s emcee.
McLaughlin has pushed to have the games better reflect the critical role of women in logging camps. The long-standing rolling pin toss was not representative of all the work that women did in the camps, she said. So there will be a new event.
“We really work hard to keep the logging games as an expression of Wrangell history,” said Tom Roland, who served as co-chair with Randy Oliver since 2019 and took on sole leadership this year when Oliver stepped back.
The Wrangell Fourth of July Logging Show will begin at 1 p.m. on July 4 in front of the City Dock.
