Barre Pinske, founder of the Big Buzz Chainsaw Carving Festival in Chester VT will be demonstrating at the Fair on July 9th and 10th, 2011.  Barre started out as a chain saw carver in rural Minnesota carving objects out of trees left dead from Dutch Elm disease. His career evolved to demonstrating his craft at fairs, festivals and chain saw carving contests across the US.  Barre moved to Vermont in 2007 and quickly became known for his unique personality and of course for the carved bears which surround his studio on Route 103 in Chester like sentries.

Barre Pinske made his mark with features on CNN headline news, in USA Today, the Boston Globe and numerous local papers.  His art has been purchased by such notables as Steven Tyler of Aerosmith who owns over 30 pieces. Pinske thinks his most significant art placement is the two wood carvings in Votkinsk Russia. They were a gift to the Russians from the Pentagon of a carved bear and eagle symbolizing the two nations during signing of the nuclear disarmament treaties.

As visitors to his studio know Barre is able to carve a sculpture while entertaining and educating an audience.  His love of his art shines through and his banter keeps people engaged while he works.  He will be demonstrating his craft over the weekend and also has a stage show scheduled on Sunday at 3 p.m. when he will talk about his development as an artist while creating a new carving on the spot.  Adults and kids alike will love to watch the creative process as it happens.

For more information on chain saw carving visit Barre’s website at www.illanajoffrey.com.

We're so happy that the Wild Country Cloggers will once again be appearing at the Fair on Saturday and Sunday July 9 and 10, 2011.

Clogging is a European-influenced folk dancing introduced to America during the early settlement days in southern Appalachian Mountains. With influences ranging from Irish to American Indian, it has developed into a demanding and entertaining form of dance with many regional styles incorporated.  It is a dance form that promotes passion and positivity. 

The Wild Country Cloggers of Bennington, Vermont were established as a folk dance club in the spring of 1991 and 2011 marks their 20th year of operations.   They are a not-for-profit dance company focused on the preservation and further education of American clog dancing.  They have earned the title of “Vermont’s longest-running clogging competition team” and are the hosts of the regionally famous “Clog College” clogging workshop.

They offer lessons at locations in Bennington County for beginning to advanced dancers. The Wild Country Cloggers perform year-round throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, New York and Massachusetts.  They also compete annually at the Northeast Clogging Competition in Nashua, NH.   To learn more about the Wild Country Cloggers email: [email protected] or visit their website Wild Country Cloggers: take your chance, come and dance!.