By Reba

 

The 24th Annual Zwolle Loggers & Forestry Festival took place May 11-12. The Friday events kicked off with a Forestry Skills Competition and ended with live entertainment provided by The Essentials Band and Cody Cooke and the Bayou Outlaws. Saturday’s festivities began with the Melissa Anderson Memorial Race, followed by a parade that boasted over 30 entries. The official opening ceremonies were held at the Zwolle Festival Grounds and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star Spangled Banner. After the introduction of the local elected officials the Festival Queen and her Court were introduced to the crowd of hundreds.

Mr. Sam A Rivers, Jr. was also honored as the oldest living logger in Sabine Parish.

As the warm afternoon progressed the festival goers enjoyed dance entertainment from Studio B Dance Company. The Toledo Bend Fishin’ Line Dancers wowed the crowd with their dance moves as they boogied to Country hits old and new.

The Mulit-Purpose Building housed the Bingo in which many great door prizes were given. If bingo and line dancing were not adventurous enough for you and you didn’t mind getting a little muddy then you would have enjoyed the Mud Bog Competition that was also a huge success and paid out $4800 in prizes.

As the 24th Annual Zwolle Loggers & Forestry Festival came to an end the festival goers enjoyed live music provided by DJ Hunter Malmay, Next of Kin Band, Jared Bridges and The Bernie Alan Band.

List of contest winners include the following:

Best Looking Log Truck – Huey Malmay Trucking – White/Silver Peterbilt

Best Looking Float – Rolling Thunder Ball Team

Best Looking Vehicle- Rick Seasock red convertible street car

Loading Contest – 1st place Jay Cartinez, 2nd place Curtis Fountain

Log Weight Guessing- Michael Buster

The festival was well attended and organizers are looking forward to expanding the festival next year.