ESCANABA – The 66th Annual Lake States Logging Congress and Equipment Expo will roll into Escanaba Thursday and organizers of the three-day event are looking forward to another successful year.

Henry Schienebeck, executive director of Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association (GLTPA) who organizes the Logging Congress and Expo, said this year’s event currently has more than 300 vendors attending. The Congress and Expo will take place at the U.P. State Fairgrounds and Ruth Butler Building.

Approximately 10,000 people are expected to attend during the three days, said Schienebeck.

So what is the purpose for the Logging Congress?

“Logging Congress is basically an equipment expo for the timber industry,” said Schienebeck, adding it brings members from all over the industry together to look at new technology in the business and provides them a chance to talk directly with equipment manufacturers.

“Likewise, manufacturers are able to benefit from one-on-one conversations with the end user,” he added.

Vendors who provide services such as chainsaws, wood splitters, firewood processors, wood stoves and construction equipment will be attending, among others. Schienebeck said there will even be a cooking class to appeal to more than just those interested in the logging and timber industry.

Logging Congress is the largest Midwest logging industry tradeshow of its kind, according to the GLTPA website. It draws people from around the U.S., and even internationally from places such as Canada and Finland. Besides the numerous vendors at the event, there will also be many activities throughout its three days.

The Congress and Expo opens Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. During this time, the Original Prentice Loader Championship will begin, giving attendees a hands-on experience using the equipment on display.

Schienebeck said the prentice loader event is a national competition and has a $5 entry fee, with money going toward the Children’s Miracle Network through the Log A Load for Kids campaign.

After the Congress closes Thursday evening, festivities will continue at 6:30 p.m. at the Island Resort and Casino as part of the President’s Kickoff Event. The kickoff will feature a silent auction to raise money for GLTPA’s educational fund, said Schienebeck.

He said the event is basically a presidential reception put on by the association and gives vendors a chance to speak with each other since they may not have much time to communicate while working their booths at the Logging Congress.

More than 600 people are expected to attend the kickoff, which will also broadcast the Packers-Saints football game and feature a tailgate-style buffet prepared by the casino catering staff. Tickets for the event, which is open to exhibitors and the general public, are $15.

The Logging Congress will be open again Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a continuation of the Original Prentice Loader Championship. There will also be a Great Lakes Forwarder Challenge, an international event with the winner of the competition advancing to the European championship.

A ladies’ bowling pin throw competition begins at 11 a.m. and judging on the Industry Loads Competition will take place at noon. Before the Congress closes at 5 p.m., however, there will be a Michigan vs. Wisconsin tug-o-war contest at 4 p.m.

The event continues Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the final day of the Original Prentice Loader Championship from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the National Forwarder Operator Challenge Semi-Finals from 8 a.m. to noon. Children will have the opportunity to take part in logging truck rides from 9 a.m. to noon and meet Smokey Bear from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The National Forwarder Operator Challenge finals will take place at 12:30 p.m., and the Congress and Expo closes at 1 p.m.

The Growing UP Foresters Interactive Exhibit, located in Building 10, will be open during expo hours, as will the Michigan DNR Pocket Park Interactive Exhibit in Building 6.

Cost for the entire three-day event is $10, with children under the age of 12 free. The public is invited to attend.

According to Vickie Micheau, executive director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, this is a teriffic event for the community.

“It is very important to our local economy,” she said. “While here, (attendees) are eating in restaurants, conducting business with local merchants and experiencing all the best Delta County has to offer.”

In addition to providing some family fun and entertainment, Micheau said the entire event provides “a positive result on investment from exhibitors and attendees.”

This marks the 12th year the Logging Congress has been held in Escanaba, and the last few times it has come to town it was very successful.

“The 2009 event was quickly labeled a huge success by event organizers with attendance surpassing the attendance of 2007 in Escanaba and rivaling that of 2008 in Green Bay,” Micheau said.

Both Micheau and Schienebeck acknowledged how appreciative the community is about hosting this event.

“Escanaba always makes us feel welcome,” said Schienebeck. “I think everyone realizes forestry is a big industry nationwide.”

Micheau said it is clear the community supports the event 100 percent.

“Each of Michigan’s cities that submitted the event proposals application had something to offer and in the end, we put together a proposal that is good for exhibitors and attendees,” she said, adding that with such a helpful staff, the 20 buildings and 144 acres used for contests and exhibits at the fairgrounds make the U.P. State Fairgrounds the perfect venue.

For more information on the Logging Congress or the GLTPA, visit its website at timberpa.com/.