THUNDER BAY - Kids in one local neighbourhood were trying their hands at some age old skills straight out of the history of the region.
The Lumberjack Jamboree entered its fourth year on Sunday at the Vickers Heights Community Centre. The day included a pancake breakfast and a variety of challenges for kids of all ages, including log sawing, log throwing and piling, snowshoe races, and obstacle courses.
Julie Luke, a board member with the Vickers Heights Community Centre, said the community wanted to bring back the event that was a neighbourhood tradition in Vickers Heights more than 25 years ago.
“The events happened when we were kids, so some of us got together and decided to do it all over again,” she said.
Luke added the Jamboree is a way to bring the neighbourhood closer together by creating a community event that everyone can enjoy.
“When we were kids we always walked down the street and knew everybody’s name,” she said. “It has gotten away from that as kids have grown up and there aren’t as many families. Now families are starting to move back into the neighbourhood and we want that community feeling again.”
While the event is a way to bring the community closer together, Luke said families from across the city have been coming out to try and earn the top lumberjack or lumberjill spots and she hopes to see it continue to grow.
“The word has spread to more families so we always have a bit of a core group, but now we are seeing people returning year after year who are not from the neighbourhood,” she said.
Jody Knibbs, who was volunteering on Sunday, said he remembers participating in the Jamboree when he was a kid growing up in the neighbourhood.
“When I was a young guy, this was quite an awesome event and I participated for many years and it’s great to be back in a volunteer role now and seeing all the kids out here having a little bit of fun,” he said.
Both Luke and Knibbs said they were thrilled to see how excited the more than 30 kids participating in the Jamboree were throughout the day, despite the wet and slushy weather.
“The kids really like it,” Luke said. “Especially the trophy. They like their name on the trophy and we showcase it. All the kids participate and they all have a chance to win prizes. They all go home with ribbons. And it’s an outdoor thing and lots of kids don’t spend enough time outdoors, so it gives them a chance to do that.”
For 10-year-old Mya Luke, the Lumberjack Jamboree had a lot to offer her and her friends.
“I like it how there’s so many events you can participate in,” she said. “The log sawing is my favourite because we actually get to cut logs.”
Mya said she didn’t mind the wet weather on Sunday and even took off her jacket because there was just too much for her to do.
“It’s good exercise,” she said. “It’s good for your body. If you do lots of activities, you get really hot.”
“It’s great to be able to share this with the kids,” Knibbs added. “They’re not at home playing video games today, they are out here having a little bit of fun and running some races like I used to do in the past. The weather hasn’t been the greatest this year, but I think the kids are still having a great time and getting a little wet doing it.”
