Posted: Jun 21, 2012 3:10 PM by Robin O'Day - KPAX News
Updated: Jun 22, 2012 6:48 AM
DARBY- The sound of chain saws revving up will soon be heard throughout the streets od downtown Darby and businesses are taking reservations and locals are dusting off their scrap books as the annual Darby Logger Days kicks off in just one month.
The badge is put away and the trophies tucked away in the barn and newspaper clippings in scrap books. The town of Darby is a place where Police Chief Larry Rose is also known as the Valley's "Paul Bunyon." He;s picked up Logger Day trophies dating back to the 70's.
Beyond the scrap books the annual logger days means a booming economy for local businesses in Darby.
"Well the local businesses do benefit from this, I mean it's hard to find a place to stay. Motels are usually busy, the local bars and stuff do well. They have live music that night. Vendor show up and it's just a great event to come out," R & R Conner owner Ryan Conner said.
"They put on a really good show. I believe it's the second largest event in Ravalli county, as far as drawing a crowds," Darby Mayor Rick Scheele told us.
Even though the days of thriving logging mills may be a thing of the past, many believe it's important to celebrate the tradition and to get a chance to roll up your sleeves and compete.
"It's an event where people can come and see people actually working with a chainsaw, cutting with an ax like they used to do. One of my favorite one is the spring-board competition, where they've got to cut a spring-board. Put the spring-board in. Get up and then chop the tree down. It's a pretty cool event," Conner said.
There are a lot of local organizations helping to make Logger Days possible and the event helps support the South Valley Veterans Memorial.
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