Lady loggers perform at Eastern Idaho State Fair

The Axe Women Loggers of Maine will perform four shows per day at the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot this week.

Sunday, the women showed off their ax throwing, cross-cut sawing, standing-block chopping and log-rolling skills in front of crowds. The group travels throughout North America year round performing at fairs, sports shows and festivals.

Catherine Spencer announces and performs during the show. She said their job is more than just entertainment.

“It’s an entertainment show, but it’s a competition show,” said Spencer. “We all compete in the world finals, and we actually used entertaining in this show as a way to practice for the world championship.

She’s been chopping for 10 years, and said it’s all about technique.

“Even if you’re the biggest, strongest football player there is, if you’re not hitting at the right angle, you’re never going to be able to blow chips out of the wood,” said Spencer. “You’re not even going to be able to beat little old me.”

The owner of the company, Alissa Harper, got the group together two years ago. It’s made up of 10 women, but only four attend each event.

“It’s like a vacation for us,” said Harper. “You’re traveling, every couple of weeks you pack up and you go somewhere new and exciting.”

The Axe Women Loggers of Maine perform at 11 a.m, 2 p.m, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. till Saturday, Sept. 7.