Jake TenPas The Entertainer | Posted: Wednesday, July 2, 2008 10:00 pm
Timber Carnival turns out to be a renewable resource as community harvests first in seven years
Albany - From the time she was 14 years old until she was 26, Lisa Landucci sang at the Albany Timber Carnival. Back then, she was known as Lisa Lyn. When she left for Nashville to pursue her dream of becoming a musician, little did she know that the event that had helped to inform that dream would no longer be in existence.
The last true Timber Carnival took place in 2000, and according to Landucci, Albany's been missing it ever since. "People in the community have wanted it back since it left," she says. "There's some other great things that happen here, but nothing quite like that."
That's why after last year's fireworks display, a group of dedicated individuals got together to make sure that not another Fourth of July would go by without the sounds of chain saws and electric guitars, laughing children and loudspeakers.
Now pared down to just over a dozen volunteers, the group nonetheless persevered, scheduling two days worth of entertainment that runs from rock and country music to fireworks to children's activities, car shows, dances and magic. Oh yeah, and don't forget about the timber sports that gave the event its name. This year's competition is even santioned by the American Lumberjacks Association.
"I don't know how we did it," Landucci says. "It just feels like the right time."
Once again, Landucci and her husband, Chris Arellano - who own and operate MusiCafe Rock School and have previously organized the da Vinci Days Battle of the Bands - will be keeping the emphasis local. She says this will both highlight the wealth of local talent and help keep costs down for the event as it gets its footing back.
Friday's music lineup will include performances by Corvallis rock band Jenna Summer Smith and InEclipse, the Kenzie Hruby Band, didgeridoo wizard Jacob Duncan and Rock School prodigies 6789 Converse Club. Arellano and Landucci's band Sugardirt will perform classic rock and country at 8 p.m., setting the stage for the fireworks.
Saturday will see a procession of MusiCafe acts, with Portland Pink Floyd tribute band Pigs on the Wing taking the headlining spot at 8 p.m. The alterego of alt-rockers Oxcart, Pigs on the Wing's performances include classic Floyd material, and often a laser light show, to boot.
Meanwhile, each day will also feature activities for kids in the Family Zone, including horseshoes, a dunk tank, a reptile show, illusionist Phil Crossen, softball, a performance by Albany Civic Theater, dog activities and the moves of the Timber Twirlers.
And of course, both days will also see plenty of chain saw carving, tree climbing, log-rolling and other timber-related events. For more information, see www.albanytimber
Check it OUt
What: The Albany Timber Carnival
When: From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, July 4, and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 5
Where: Timber Linn Park, 900 Price Rd. S.E., Albany
Cost: Free, but parking costs $4
Schedule: For information, see www.albanytimbercarnival.com