The annual Local Loggers Contest at the Emo Fair is more than just a competition—it is a celebration of the logging profession, a showcase of local talent and a proud tradition that brings communities from across the Rainy River District together.
Year after year, the event continues to grow, drawing competitors, families and spectators who come to cheer on the loggers and celebrate an industry that has helped shape Northwestern Ontario.
Beyond the excitement of competition, the contest is also a moment of reflection. It gives us the opportunity to pause and remember the men and women who came before us—our parents, grandparents, relatives, neighbours and friends whose hard work, sacrifice and determination built not only an industry but the communities we call home today. Many of them are no longer with us, but their influence remains. Their values, work ethic, and love of the land continue to guide us, reminding us that every generation builds upon the efforts of the last.
Honouring the trailblazers
Long before today’s crowds gathered around the competition field, logging workers and entrepreneurs laid the foundation for the communities we know today. They were the trailblazers who built roads, supplied mills, opened transportation routes, and helped transform the region into a place where families and businesses could thrive.
Those early generations did more than harvest timber—they built communities and created legacies that remain visible today. Their influence can still be seen in the towns, roads, and districts they helped establish, and in the pride that continues to surround the logging profession. The Local Loggers Contest pays tribute to those pioneers by honouring the determination, resilience, and craftsmanship that built Northwestern Ontario.
Every year, this event also honours the families who made those achievements possible. It is a chance to remember those who have passed on, to celebrate the lives they lived, and to recognize that their legacy continues through the people who still work in the industry today. Although they may no longer stand beside us, they remain part of every story told, every lesson passed down, and every competitor who carries their traditions forward.
A community tradition
Today, the Local Loggers Contest remains one of the Emo Fair’s most anticipated attractions. It brings together people of all ages who arrive early, find a place along the competition grounds, and enthusiastically support the competitors.
More than entertainment, the contest highlights the professionalism, knowledge and precision that define modern logging. Every event demonstrates the skill, confidence and commitment required in an industry where experience and safety go hand in hand. Whether competing or cheering from the sidelines, everyone becomes part of an atmosphere built on mutual respect and community pride.
Looking to the future
The future of logging in Northwestern Ontario rests with the next generation of skilled workers who will continue to carry the profession forward while preserving the values that have always defined it.
The Local Loggers Contest plays an important role in that future by providing young competitors and experienced loggers alike with an opportunity to showcase their abilities, learn from one another, and inspire those who may one day follow in their footsteps.
Just as the pioneers helped shape the identity of our communities, today’s loggers are creating legacies of their own. Their stories, achievements, and dedication will become part of the history future generations inherit. Every year the contest is held, those traditions grow stronger, ensuring they will continue for years to come.
As we look ahead, we also carry the past with us. We honour the pioneers and the loved ones who came before us by continuing the work they believed in. Their legacy lives on in every load hauled, every tree carefully harvested, every lesson shared, and every young logger learning the trade. They remain part of this industry because they remain part of us.
The two Ps behind the contest
Kelvin and I have had the privilege of organizing the Local Loggers Contest for many years, and we are proud to have watched it grow into one of the highlights of the Emo Fair. While organizing the event requires months of planning and preparation, its success has always depended on the people who willingly give their time to help.
The true backbone of the contest is the incredible team of volunteers who arrive early on the morning of the event. They help set up equipment, prepare the grounds, solve problems as they arise, and lend a hand wherever it is needed. Their dedication transforms months of planning into a successful competition that competitors and spectators alike can enjoy.
Their generosity, teamwork, and commitment are what make this event possible. They are the reason the contest continues to feel like more than a competition—it remains a community tradition built by neighbours supporting neighbours.
Laura “Sis” Wilson is a long‑time Rainy River District volunteer and one of the core organizers behind the Emo Fall Fair’s Logger’s Competition. Known for her steady, behind‑the‑scenes work, Wilson helps run one of the fair’s oldest heritage events while also supporting children’s programming, barn exhibits and parade logistics. She remains one of the fair’s most enduring contributors, preserving traditions and keeping annual operations running smoothly.
