Some of the top chainsaw carvers in the world are descending on Eau Claire this weekend for the U.S. Open Chainsaw Sculpture Championship.
Armed with racks of specialty chainsaws, blow torches and wood stain, the competitors will have 30 hours to turn tree trunks into high art.
Larry Doyle, the chair of the three-day chainsaw sculpting event, said the U.S. Open draws globally renowned artists.
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“We have the 11 best carvers in the world coming to compete for the U.S. Open,” Doyle said. “All of them will start with the same sized log. It’s 8 feet high and about 30 inches in diameter.”
This year’s competitors come from Japan, Germany and all across the U.S.
Doyle said last year 13,000 people flocked to Eau Claire to witness the event and to buy the finished sculptures, which can sell for more than $6,000.
The event continues through Sunday.
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