McCloud Lumberjack Fiesta fun starts Friday evening, July 25, at Hoo Hoo Park and continues throughout the weekend.
On tap are fun and games for adults and kids, a softball tournament and horseshoe tournament, amateur and business person’s logging competition, featuring axe throwing, sawing competition, and choker setting.
More softball teams will be playing in the tournament  this year, according to Patty Ballard, president of the McCloud Recreation Council and this year’s parade grand marshal. “The north ball field in the park will be utilized, as well as Joe Henson Field.”
Ballard called a recent donation of $4,000 from Nestle Waters North America “a blessing. If it wasn’t for Nestle there may not have been a Lumberjack Fiesta this weekend.”
She cited the high cost of fuel and insurance as two overriding factors.
“As an example, our insurance doubled this year from $530 to $1,030,” said Ballard. “People don’t realize what it entails, money wise, and time  to put on an event like this. Then there is trying to get volunteers to help set up and tear down.”
The little ones will get a chance to strut their stuff by competing in the “Little Miss Fiesta and Little Logger Contest” Friday evening.
Saturday morning a parade will be held on Main Street at 11 a.m.
Vendors will be set up around the park and will be offering good food and cold beverages. Live musical entertainment is planned.
Anyone interested in helping can call Patty Ballard at 964-2718.
The 61st Annual Lumberjack Fiesta is sponsored by the McCloud Recreation Council.
Selected as grand marshal for the 61st annual McCloud Lumberjack Fiesta Parade, Ballard is a single mother who moved to McCloud in 1996 and quickly became active in the community.
In 1997 she joined the McCloud Recreation Council and was a team mom and assistant coach for both t-ball from 2001 to 2003 and soccer from 2000 to 2001.
She was assistant Cub Master for pack 42 and served as Cub Master from 2000-03.
She coached soccer from 2002 to 2003. She was the Recreation Council secretary from 2002 to 2005, before retiring from the Council.
She rejoined this year and was nominated as president.
“I just couldn’t stay out,” she said.
She recently joined the Women’s Auxiliary at the American Legion and is a strong supporter of the schools in McCloud, serving on the McCloud Elementary School Site Council board from the fall of 1999 to the spring of 2007.
“I firmly support McCloud’s high school and believe that our kids should be going here,” she said. Her son, James, is a sophomore at McCloud High School.
She plans to compete in the Lumberjack Fiesta amateur axe throw this weekend for the eighth year.
“It’s a great stress reliever for me,” she said.

Friday, July 25th
Event Kick off Little Miss Fiesta Little Logger, 6:00 PM
Papa Anderson Memorial Softball Tournament, 6:00 PM
Vendor Booths open, 6:00 PM
Music, 8:00 PM

Saturday, July 26th
American Legion Post# 92 Pancake Breakfast, 7:00-10:00 AM
Vendor Booths Open, 8:00 AM
Papa Anderson Memorial Softball Tourament, 8:00 AM
Parade on Main Street    11:00 AM
Parade Awards immediately following at Hoo-Hoo Park
Harold Benedict Memorial Horseshoe  Tournament (Singles), 1:00 PM
Junior Logging Show
(Axe Throw-Choker Setting), 1:00 PM
Music, 8:00 PM


Sunday, July 27th
American Legion Post# 92 Pancake Breakfast, 7:00-10:00AM
Vendor Booths Open, 8:00 AM
Papa Anderson Memorial Softball Tournament, 8:00 AM
Adult Amateur Logging Show, 11:00 AM
Harold Benedict Memorial Horseshoe Tournament (Doubles)    1:00 PM

Kids events scheduled throughout the weekend so watch for details.
Length of events may vary.