59th Hoquiam Loggers Playday will buzz through Hoquiam Saturday

By Matthew N. Wells • September 6, 2023 5:00 pm
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Thousands of people were reminded of the destruction a massive timber log can do to a car during last year’s Loggers Playday Show as Ed “Mooch” Smith expertly cut into a Douglas fir from inside Olympic Stadium in Hoquiam. Smith’s precision cuts resulted in the piece of timber falling squarely through the hood of an old Volkswagen Beetle, which was painted to look like a watermelon.
Thousands of people were reminded of the destruction a massive timber log can do to a car during last year’s Loggers Playday Show as Ed “Mooch” Smith expertly cut into a Douglas fir from inside Olympic Stadium in Hoquiam. Smith’s precision cuts resulted in the piece of timber falling squarely through the hood of an old Volkswagen Beetle, which was painted to look like a watermelon.

Hoquiam Loggers Playday is not just any town’s festival. It’s a combination of town pride, camaraderie between local organizations and clubs, and love for the history of an old logging town.

As far as Hoki Moir’s family goes however, while the city and its history are hugely important, Hoquiam Loggers Playday is more than that. Moir’s history is tightly knitted with Hoquiam Loggers Playday.

“My grandpa competed in the first couple Loggers Playdays and then my dad became chairman in 1979,” Moir said. “My brother and I were co-chairmen in 1996. My nephew has sung the national anthem. My daughter has been the Queen of the Court. My son has been active in the committee. It’s been a family passion.”

This year’s Hoquiam Loggers Playday, the city’s 59th annual iteration, will see a few of the same events, but they’re always a hit.

Here are a few of the highlights for the all-day Hoquiam event, which starts Saturday morning:

• 6 a.m. — Pancake breakfast — Our Lady of Good Help — 200 L St.

• 7 a.m. — Time trials (all competitors must attend) — Olympic Stadium — 101 28th St.

• 8 a.m. — Binder throwing — Olympic Stadium

• Noon — Hoquiam Elks Grand Parade — Downtown Hoquiam

• 2 p.m. — Lions Club salmon bake — Washington Elementary School — 3003 Cherry St.

• 6 p.m. — Logging show — Olympic Stadium

• 9 p.m. — Dance music by The Six — Hoquiam Elks Lodge

The logging show will feature ax throw, log chopping, Ma & Pa bucking, choker setting, speed climb, power saw, double bucking, springboard chop, obstacle pole and a hot saw competition.

Last year, Tristan VanBeek was the “all-around” winner. Johnny Boggs was the “local all-around” winner. VanBeek was also the all-around winner in 2021.

According to Moir, the Hoquiam High School Marching Band will play the national anthem. He can’t wait to hear the band.

In addition to the several service organizations who get involved in the program, such as the Lions Club Salmon Bake, there are many food and arts and crafts vendors who show up to sell their wares.

Moir said his favorite competition is the springboard chop.

“It’s a real intense endurance event,” said Moir, who also listed the tree climbing and tree topping competition. “And it’s always fun to watch the court try to roll logs and get dunked in the water.”

Last year, a man fell on the one place no man wants to get hit. While the impact brought sheer, visceral pain to him, it was a hit for the crowd to see.

Moir said the program this year is dedicated to Don Bell III. Bell III’s grandfather is one of the original members of the committee and Bell III has been a member of the program for a little more than 20 years.

Moir loves the fact Hoquiam Loggers Playday “exemplifies” the history of the community in Hoquiam and how it is a “fabulous” way to both learn about the city and to give back to the community. The fact the committee’s diverse group all comes together for a common cause is another element that makes Moir beam with pride.

“It’s a pretty special thing,” he said.

Moir just wishes Fred Lennox and Eric Snell were alive to appreciate the program’s 59th year.

“They were both huge supporters,” Moir said.

Despite Snell’s passing, he will be the grand marshal for the parade this year.

And the three young women — all Hoquiam High School (HHS) students — who will represent the Hoquiam Loggers Playday Court this year are Paige Shope, a 17-year old senior who participates in a variety of activities including playing soccer and being part of the Honor Society; Kayte Sauer, a 17-year-old senior who plays varsity fastpitch softball and is the vice president for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; and Faith Prosch, a 17-year-old student who is a two sport varsity athlete for volleyball and fastpitch softball, is the senior class president and is part of the Honor Society.

Hoquiam Police Lt. Jeff Salstrom spoke about a few parts of Hoquiam Loggers Playday that catch his eye.

“I think the best thing about Loggers Playday is that we get to continue to showcase the history of the community and recognize the icons of the timber industry,” Salstrom said. “I grew up in South Aberdeen and most of my friends’ parents worked in the woods or local mills. Loggers Playday showcases the hard work of those people who helped build Grays Harbor and celebrates those who continue to work in the timber industry as well as those that came before them.”

Being a fan of the history Hoquiam Loggers Playday features, Salstrom should be a fan of what John Larson, director of Polson Museum, has in store for the crowd Saturday night at Olympic Stadium.

“Our museum crew is planning to be down exhibiting at least one of our vintage drag saws as a warm up to the show, starting at 5 p.m.,” Larson said.

Larson loves the tradition involved with the event that started in 1965.

“For me it’s the preparations getting our fleet ready for the big parade and seeing if all our old equipment will complete the parade under its own power,” Larson said. “I love that the museum is included in the evening show, being able to make some noise with obsolete equipment once very common in logging operations. I only wish the 1970s era Rainier Beer Keg Toss would make a comeback at Playday.”

To close out the night, The Six, a well-known band on the Harbor, will play.

Just as the rest of the community can’t wait for Saturday, neither can Mat Smaciarz, drummer for The Six. Smaciarz is raring to play live for his fellow Harborites.

“It’s always exciting to play at home on the Harbor,” Smaciarz said. “It’s an honor to be a part of one of the longest running events in the entire state. We are treated so incredibly well by the Loggers Playday crew and nothing is more important to us than delivering a great product called music on Saturday night.”

Contact Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.

The hot saw competition is one of the stars of the show at Hoquiam Loggers Playday. The annual event, which runs all-day, also features a pancake breakfast, 30 vendors, a parade, a salmon barbecue, and a fireworks show that starts after the Loggers’ Playday Show.

The hot saw competition is one of the stars of the show at Hoquiam Loggers Playday. The annual event, which runs all-day, also features a pancake breakfast, 30 vendors, a parade, a salmon barbecue, and a fireworks show that starts after the Loggers’ Playday Show.

John Larson, director for Polson Museum, got into the fun of the Loggers Playday Show during last year’s Loggers Playday Show. He competed in the obstacle pole, the Ma and Pa bucking, local double buck, and the local power saw bucking. He admitted it wasn’t easy. “Pulling the saw is one of the most strenuous things,” Larson said. “You get halfway down and you’re like, ‘Jesus, I’m only halfway.’”

John Larson, director for Polson Museum, got into the fun of the Loggers Playday Show during last year’s Loggers Playday Show. He competed in the obstacle pole, the Ma and Pa bucking, local double buck, and the local power saw bucking. He admitted it wasn’t easy. “Pulling the saw is one of the most strenuous things,” Larson said. “You get halfway down and you’re like, ‘Jesus, I’m only halfway.’”

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