Watch the region’s best wood artists craft new pieces

Story by David Young

Photos by Andy Bockelman

When searching for something fun and unusual to take in this summer, look no further than Craig’s annual Whittle the Wood Rendezvous.

Some of the best professional wood carvers from the region work their magic in front of visitors in the northwest Colorado town from June 19-21.

The gathering takes place in June at Loudy-Simpson Park, where the carvers will use their skills to create new life from dead trees.

From practical beginnings, the Rendezvous has grown into a popular town gathering. It started when trees in the town’s City Park began dying and needed to be removed. Rather than just ripping and chipping the dead tree stumps, local leaders decided to commission works of art.

Now, 25 years later, the city has moved the gathering to Loudy-Simpson (in 2012) but it’s still providing the setting for artists to carve up unique wood creations. Over the years, the city has added a few more attractions to the shindig.

Earlier this spring, Parks and Recreation director Ryan Dennison said the 2025 event was still in the planning stages, but the prior year’s event is a great indication of what visitors can expect to see this June.

“Whittle the Wood Rendezvous is a competitive wood carving competition, held in Craig,” Dennison said in an email. “Professional carvers take dead tree stumps and make incredible works of art from them.”

Each year new tree stumps are hauled into the park, creating a blank canvas for the whittlers to work with. Carvers can win $5,000 for a first-place finish.

Whittle the Wood runs Thursday through Saturday, June 19-21 and features fun for the entire family. In addition to the whittlers, expect food, a beer garden, craft vendors and live music.

There are three different categories in which the wood carvers compete: Judge’s Choice, People’s Choice, and Artist’s Choice. The competition brings together an impressive gathering of artists such as award-winning carver Chad Stratton, who has joined the competition for 17 years.

Throughout that three-day period, carvers use chainsaws, grinders, sanders, and other finishing tools. Visitors can watch the work in real-time and witness a wood carver’s vision come to life. Standout pieces have included likenesses of eagles, bears and even rams.

Finished pieces can be viewed in public spaces around the city. Some residents also have art from the Rendezvous in their yards.

In previous years, the event has included a “Wake the Whittler” 5K Run and Fun Walk, and a Bear River Young Life car show, which takes place in Craig’s historic downtown district. Leave the pups at home for this one, as there are no dogs permitted in the park during the event.

The event is free to the public and Dennison hopes to include additional family activities for this year’s gathering.