Flashback on Timber Day

Proclamation!

Whereas Timber Day is known here and 'yon over the face of the earth as a festival to celebrate the proficiency of our citizens in the woods skills of Paul Bunyan; and wherefore it is of common knowledge to all and sundry that this mighty patron of Timber Day never shaved after he attained the age of seven, thereby cultivating the most luxuriant beard ever known; therefore do I deem it fitting and proper that each male citizen shall lay aside his razor and grow the rankest beard of which he is capable, thus emulating the timber beast of old, and proving his fitness to wield the broad axe, the cross-cut, the canthook, peavey and picaroon. 
In consideration of these things, I hereby proclaim that a beard growing contest shall begin as of this date and continue until Timber Day. 
Given under my hand and seal this 6th day of August, 1952.

The above proclamation was hilariously given in the Warroad Pioneer by Mayor Julius Anderson for the 5th annual Timber Day. Jim Jaros was put in charge of organizing the event. Glen Martin was responsible for organizing the annual baseball game; Cal Marvin for the band; Carl Larson for parking; Charles Landin for the parade; Jack Marvin for the timber cutting events; Ed Christian for all carpentry-related tasks; Tut Marvin for beverages; Ford Rouse and Beno Kofstad for concessions; Mary Marvin for bingo games; George Larson for ball throw; Morris Taylor for button sales; Dick Roberts, Ford Rouse, and Bill Kellogg for publicity and advertising; Helen O'Donnell for ticket sales; Vern Ganyo and Art Aldrich for electrician duties; Mrs. Beno Kofstad, Pat Holland, and Peggy Berglund for the Timber Day queen contest; R. O. Boehlke for getting speakers; and Tom and Leon Marshall for decorating. 

The only requirement for the announced beard-growing contest were that contestants be old enough to shave and possess "the ability to withstand the comments and occasional downright hostility of the little women," (WP  08/06/1952). Beards would be judged on both the length and the appearance. The winner(s) of the contest were promised a case of beer from Cal Marvin and a kiss from that year's Timber Day Queen. After all, it was the young contests for the crown who would be judging!

Performing for the masses at Timber Day was the Hayward Drum & Bugle Corps from Hayward, Wisconsin, which led the parade that Labor Day morning, and the Marching Majorettes Drum & Bugle Corps of Thief River Falls, MN which was an all-girl drum and bugle ensemble which had recently performed in the Aquatennial Parade in Minneapolis. 

Timber Day Parade, unknown year

As always, there were tons of competitions during Timber Day. Parade floats were judged on beauty for one prize and originality for another. Mrs. Joe Wammer helped organize the Doll Buggy Parade for that year, which saw children pushing small bassinettes and strollers with baby dolls inside down Lake Street. Kiddie floats were judged in three categories: humor, originality, and appropriateness to the Timber Day theme of logging and labor. Contestants for Timber Day Queen included entries from Red Lake Falls, Roseau, Badger, and South Junction, MB. 

Doll & Buggy Parade, 1951

Performers for 1952 included magician Jack Pyle, Wally Rudd and His Ranch Boys, a western trio known for yodeling, and Tony's Swingersters, who would perform for for the evening dance held in the Memorial Arena. Dr. D. Q. Posin, head of the Physics Department of North Dakota Agricultural College was scheduled to speak at the evening gathering about UFOs and flying saucers. Dr. Posin's expertise in nuclear physics and atomic energy at the government plant at Oak Ridge, TN, he was lauded as "a scientific observer thoroughly qualified to discuss flying saucers...[and] was well received here this spring when he spoke on the problems of youth in the atomic age at commencement," (WP  08/13/1952). 

Timber Day brought in a little over $1,000 (Current USD: $10,500) to be used for modernizing the Memorial Arena. This number was especially extraordinary, as the day did not go as planned or hoped by the Timber Day committee. As we've come to expect these days, the day was marred by wind and rain, but judging the takeaway figure, the day was far from ruined for the masses of people who attended. Despite the rain, the Warroad baseball team succeeded over Lancaster that afternoon. 

Memorial Arena, late 1940s

Henedine Demarais of Red Lake Falls took home the crown of Timber Day Queen, with Vivian Thompson of Warroad and Carol Austin of Greenbush serving as her attendants. The ladies then judged the beard contest and named Beno Kofstad as having the most unique-looking beard and Jake Jakobsen as having the longest. Rayetta Hoke took first place in the kiddie parade for originality (2nd: Connie Arnold, 3rd: Susan Sorenson); Robert Carroll and Tommy Nelson tied for first place in humor (2nd: Ben Bakken and David Foster, 3rd: Kim Bolsinger); and Karen Miller won first for appropriateness to the theme (2nd: Marty Erickson, 3rd: William Reinhart). Nearly 50 entries in the grand parade gave the judges even more to think about. Wing's Federated Store took first place for beauty, while Holland's Pharmacy won for originality. 

Wings parade float, 1952

But it wouldn't be Timber Day without the timber! Nick Skrumeda of Canada took home the gold for 1-man sawing for taking down a 9.5" Norway pine tree in just eleven seconds! Runners up were George Andrusiak and Alex Skrumeda, both of Canada. In the 2-man sawing competition, Alex and Nick Skrumeda overshadowed the other contenders, followed by George Andrusiak and Clayton Farmsworth in second place and Levi Ganyo and George Reinhart in third. Clayton Farmsworth of Haywood, WI succeeded in the log chopping competition, followed by Nick Skrumeda and George Andrusiak. Finally, the cant hook section was won by John Hodgson, with Lenus Landby and Alex Skremuda taking second and third respectively.

We can certainly sympathize with the rain this year, but we know that just like always, Warroad has a way of making chilly days special. We hope you have a happy Labor Day!