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8th Annual Hooskow Chainsaw carving event to kick off Thursday

PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CLINTON COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU A chainsaw carver hacks away at a large piece of pine that will soon be shaped into a beautiful sculpture.

MACKEYVILLE — Rev up those chainsaws for the eighth annual Hooskow Chainsaw Carver’s Event.

The annual carving event will be running from tomorrow until Saturday night at the Clinton County Fairgrounds.

The Hooskow was started by a professional wood carver, Jeffery Donoughe. In order to assure that it was a unique name exclusive to the event, he said they named it Hooskow. The name derives from the word “hoosegow” which is a slang term for jail, he added. Since the wood carving event used to be held at Restless Oaks, right next to the Clinton County Correctional Facility, the name was fitting.

“We started down at Restless Oaks and we were there for six years but grew from there,” Donoughe said.

Originally, the Hooskow was comprised of around 10 carvers in its early years. However, now the event hosts over 60 guest carvers from all over the country, including Texas, Maine, Colorado, etc.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CLINTON COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU A young boy uses a wood burner to add an extra touch to a carving of a bear.

“We are all pretty close with each other,” Donoughe added.

Along with live carving shows, there will be food and craft vendors, wood carvings for sale, door prizes and events throughout the three days. The carving events will include quick carves, scheduled speed carves, and the carver’s pit with constant action.

“We will do little things throughout the day like having carving demonstrations for charity. Between Thursday and Saturday, six to eight guys will carve together and create something,” said Donoughe.

The money raised from the events will be donated to the 40&8 veterans organization as well as the United States Veterans Affairs.

Hooskow is supplied with trees, primarily white pine for the carvers to sink their chainsaws into and create something wonderful from.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE CLINTON COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU At left, pictured is one of many chainsaw carvers who will attend the Hooskow Thursday through Saturday at the Clinton County Fairgrounds. At right, a carving of a bear is pictured.

“People will be making things from bears to frogs, and bigfoots to moose,” said Donoughe.

On Saturday, many of the carvings created throughout the three days will be auctioned off. The auction will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday. At 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, there will be shows performed by musical guest Travis Barner aka “Fat Man.”

Food vendors will include Scott’s Roasting, Cogan Concession, JB Feasties, Twilight Diner, Up the Crick, and many more.

Visit the Hooskow website at www.hooskow.com for more information.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE CLINTON COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU At left, pictured is one of many chainsaw carvers who will attend the Hooskow Thursday through Saturday at the Clinton County Fairgrounds. At right, a carving of a bear is pictured.

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