Craig Daily Press

Craig — Last week, the purpose behind the wooden stumps sitting in the middle of Craig City Park puzzled new Craig residents Simone Ketchum and Virgil Summa.

On Wednesday afternoon, they got a glimpse at how the chunks would become part of Craig tradition.

The 11 contestants of the Ninth Annual Whittle the Wood Rendezvous put on a display for the people in the park as they molded their individual cuts of wood.

As the new sculptures-to-be in City Park get closer to being completed, onlookers can stroll among them marveling at the daily progress of each one.

“We didn’t know what was going on at first,” Ketchum said. “Then we found out that people were cutting these with chainsaws, so we came to see what it was all about.”

The two were surprised upon seeing the carvers demonstrate their abilities.

“I wondered if these had anything to do with the rest of the sculptures around the park,” she said. “It looks pretty interesting and different.”

The pair recently moved to Craig from Cortez.

Samantha Meyers’ family moved to Craig from Kansas City, Mo., two years ago. After attending last year’s Rendezvous, she and her sons Caleb, 7, and Parker, 5, wanted to see the carvers in action from the beginning.

“Last year, we only saw the carvings once they were already finished,” Meyers said. “The boys wanted to see all the dust being kicked up while they worked.”

Working since 9 a.m. Wed­nesday, the carvers have gotten used to the attention from the witnesses who stand and comment on their work, or even stop to buy their finished sculptures.

“We get treated like royalty,” first-time participant Audrey Mutschelknaus said. “Everybody stops by and asks questions. It’s great.”

Mutschelknaus, of Hoskins, Neb., is carving a cowboy as her entry for the competition. Like the other 10 carvers, Mutschelknaus will need to finish her sculpture by 4 p.m. Saturday in order for judging to begin.

Before the judging starts, the festivities of the rendezvous already will be in full swing beginning at 9 a.m.

Among the six food vendors are Cugino’s Pizzeria, meat suppliers Brothers Custom Processing and Hog on a Log, which offers a pork chop on a stick as part of its menu.

Twenty craft vendors will feature everything from candles and jewelry to body art from Temporary Tattoos.

Pennie Bricker, Craig Parks and Recreation administrative technician, expects Saturday’s turnout to be between 3,000 and 5,000 people.

“It’ll be crowded, because of all the booths and sculptures, but it’ll still be fun,” she said. “The stage that we’ll put up will take up a lot of space, too, but people will love the country music of The Erik Johnson Band and Restless Heart,” she said.

The Erik Johnson Band will go on at 3 p.m. and Restless Heart will begin playing at 5:30 p.m.

Despite the cramped conditions in the park, Bricker maintains that it is the best possible location for the event.

“It’s right downtown and next to the pool and the playground, so everything is available for kids and adults,” she said. “Hopefully, we’ll have sunny weather on Saturday and everyone can bring their umbrellas, coolers and folding chairs and join the fun.”

The Meyers family plans to be in attendance.

“We’ll definitely be there,” Meyers said. “We won’t miss it.”

Andy Bockelman can be reached at 875-1796.