It’s carving time in Libby, Montana, as they Clash of the Carvers International Chainsaw Carving Competition comes to town next week.

It runs from Thursday, Sept. 5 to Sunday, Sept. 8. Carving begins at 8 a.m. each morning with a break at 10:15. Quick carves begin at 10:30 a.m. each day with a lunch break at noon.

Carving resumes at 1 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with carving ending at 6 p.m.

At 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, there will be auctions for the quick carve items.

At 1 p.m. Sunday, the championship awards are presented and the final auction at 2 p.m.

2024’s event features 20 of the world’s best carvers who will compete for $15,000 in prizes. They include:

Canada

Marina Cole, Ryan Villiers, Brigitte Lochhead and Jesse Toso

Pennsylvania

Dennis Beach - Was the 2023 People’s Choice Winner at Clash of the Carvers and was third with “Family Adventure.”

Zoe Dussia

California

Mark Colp and Jarrod Flowers

Idaho

Denny Henson

Michigan

Emil Szkipala

Maine

Taylor White

Washington

Alex Pricob

Wales

Chris Woods - won first place in the 2023 Clash of the Carvers with “Guardian of the Forest.”

Scotland

Sam Bowsher - Took fourth in the 2023 Clash of the Carvers with “Protect the Young.”

Missouri

Steven Higgins

Zimbabwe

Bongo Love

Lithuania

Raimondas Uzdravis

Argentina

Adrian Bois

Mongolia

George Dorjsuren

Australia

Robby Bast

New to the event is the Loggin’ Littles Carnival. It will include a soap carving workshop, kid-safe axe throwing, bounce house, dunk tank, yard games, splash pad and bubble machine.

Also, Libby’s Ron Adamson will teach the basics of chainsaw carving, including the basics of safety, working with a log, how to make a cut out, from rough cut to refined artwork, fixing mistakes as well as sanding and finishing.

The class will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 100 Mineral Avenue. Tickets are $40 each and can be purchased at https://www.clashofthecarvers.com/schedule.

There will be food and beverage by several vendors along with crafts and other merchandise. The Keep is hosting two musicians. At 6 p.m. Friday, Shauney Fisher Music performs and at noon Sunday, Thomas Hennigan will perform.

For those interested in volunteering, go to https://www.clashofthecarvers.com/volunteers. Depending on how much time is invested, volunteers will receive a T-shirt and free meals at two local restaurants.