Logging Festival


Celebrate Maine’s Logging Legacy at the 45th Annual Rangeley Logging Festival!

📅 July 17 – 18, 2026 | Hosted by the Maine Forestry Museum

The Rangeley Logging Festival is a vibrant celebration of Maine’s rich logging heritage — blending history, culture, and hands-on fun for all ages. From thrilling competitions and traditional bean dinners to craft fairs and a lively parade, this event offers something for everyone.

🎟️ Entrance Fee for Logging Festival – Adults – $8.00, Children (Ages 6 – 17) – $5.00, Children (Ages 5 – Under) – Free

2026 Parade Theme: Maine Forests – Log It, Hike It, Fish It, Hunt It, Camp It, Ride It, Love It!
Come experience the traditions that shaped our region!


Friday’s Events - July 17th

Working Forest Tour

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Hosted by Seven Islands Land Company. Learn about the considerations that go into managing the working forests of Maine. You will have an opportunity to see modern equipment in action and to ask questions about the “how & why” of a timber harvest.

🎟 Admission requires a Logging Festival Ticket — which also grants access to Saturday’s festival.

📌 Limited to 25 participants. Reserve your spot by contacting the Maine Forestry Museum via phone or email.

Burying of the Beans

3:00 PM

Don’t miss the fascinating tradition where beans are buried in coals overnight—a time-honored method used by loggers to prepare hearty meals.

Saturday’s Events - July 18th

Logging Parade

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Start the day with the lively parade down Main Street Rangeley, featuring loaded big rig logging trucks, floats, bands, antique cars and much more!

🎉 This year’s theme: Maine Forests – Log It, Hike It, Fish It, Hunt It, Camp It, Ride It, Love It!
🏆 Awards for: “Best Loaded Truck,” “Most Appropriate to Logging,” and “Best Fitting Parade Theme.”
🚶 Interested in joining the parade? Contact Linda Sikes at 207-491-6566 to sign up.

Logging Festival and Arts & Crafts Vendor Day

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

After the parade, the fun continues at the Maine Forestry Museum fairgrounds with something for everyone, including:

  • Vendors 
  • Artisans 
  • Crafters
  • Face painting
  • Bounce houses
  • Clown performances
  • Barrel train rides
  • Mini excavator fun

Opening Ceremonies

Join the Opening Ceremonies, where Smokey Bear himself makes an appearance to greet visitors and kick off the day’s festivities.

Hall of Fame Inductions

Celebrate the community’s legacy where outstanding contributors to the logging tradition are honored.

Bean Hole Dinner

11:30 AM

Feast on the festival’s signature meal:

  • Slow-cooked bean hole beans
  • Hot dogs & sausages
  • Coleslaw, biscuits
  • Strawberry shortcake
  • Beverages available from the beer garden

Logging Competition

Don’t miss the exhilarating competitions, where 28 skilled competitors battle it out in events like axe throwing, hot sawing, and crosscut sawing. Cheer for your favorite participants and see who takes home the prizes. 

A thrilling addition to the logging competition is the Axe Women Loggers of Maine. Come see the all female team of world champion choppers, sawyers, log rollers, and axe throwers. These women athletes will impress you with their skill logging skills and enthusiasm!

Visit the Maine Forestry Museum website to fill out a form to compete!


For more information and a full schedule of upcoming events, visit:
🌐 www.maineforestrymuseum.org

Photo Credit- Daily Bulldog