This first weekend in June, the North Georgia Mountains will growl with the sound of chain saws. While there some of the noise will be due to people still working to clean up tornado damage from the late April tornado, there will be a concentrated noise coming from the Habersham Winery just south of Helen, as the second annual Buzz in the Blue Ridge Chainsaw Extravanganza starts its engines.

Hosted by the winery, the competition has drawn 16 chain saw artists from around the country, including two women carvers, Sheri Kieffner from Indiana and Luree Magee from Idaho. 

You may have some pre-conceived notions about chainsaw carving – but look at these photos from last year. Fourth place went to a carving of a wagon full of puppies being pulled by a little boy under a tree that held a raccoon. First place was won by Harley Daughtrey from Kentucky.

“He carved a tree with an Indian warrior coming out of one side and an Indian princess coming out of the other side spiraling around into an eagle and an owl then spiraling into a grizzly bear and a wolf,” says Mal McEwen, who organizes the event. It includes timed “quick carves” daily and the main competition, which uses seven-foot tall logs. “One guy carved a monkey holding a beer bottle over he head and a parrot leaning down from an overhead palm tree with a bottle opener for the beer. The tree had a sign that said, ‘It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!’”

Some of the carvings will be auctioned, and there will be a raffle with the proceeds going to the White County Ninth Grade Academy for arts supplies. The inaugural event last year drew 1,500 people, but McEwen is expecting several thousand this year for the three-day event.

“I’m very lucky that I’ve got the only job in the world that combines the speed and sound of motocross with the skill and accuracy of brain surgeon,” says McEwen of chainsaw carving. “We are the rock stars of the art world. And we have a rock star attitude, to a degree.” McEwen wears a trademark hat to carve and goes by the nickname of the ‘Mal Hatter.’ 

Admission is $5 per day or $10 for a three-day pass. There will be plenty of food and drink available, a rock-climbing wall and hot-air balloon rides. Parking is free. The event ends at 5 on Sunday, when judging will begin. Habersham Winery is located just south of Helen, Georgia on state highway 75.

Photos:  courtesy Buzz in the Blue Ridge.