Once an "iconic" regular at the PNE, logging sports has been missing from the exhibition since 1998. This year it's back, with a local man representing the sport and Squamish at the show's nightly finale performance.
Armand Hurford has been performing with the Rollin' Thunder show, which takes place every evening at the PNE from August 19 through to September 4. The local car salesman makes the trip after work each day the PNE to be a part of the Birling, AKA log rolling, part of the performance.
"It is really fun," he said "It is a part of our heritage and why we are here. It is not stuff people in the city see all the time."
Hurford plays a logger in the performance, vying for the attention of singer Lacy Adam from Maple Ridge, but he has competition from fellow logger seeking Sterling Hart, also of Maple Ridge. The two decide to log roll to see who gets the girl.
"The winner and the one who goes with the girl is the one who stays on the log," said Hurford. "So far I have kept dry."
Hurford, 28, first picked up an axe when he was four, and started performing in Bryan Couture's West Coast Lumberjack Shows 10 years ago. He also competed in the recent Squamish Days Novice Logger Sports and said he enjoyed entertaining people all over B.C. with his logging talents.
"You haven't lived until you have log rolled in the Bayshore [Hotel's] swimming pool," he said. "I also performed at the Queen [Elizabeth] Theatre in front of the IOC [International Olympic Committee] when they were deciding whether to have Vancouver host the 2010 Olympics or not."
Hurford is hoping to carry the enthusiasm surrounding logging into next year's 50th anniversary of Squamish Days Logger Sports and would like to see more locals take part.
"It is cheap and fun and a part of our heritage," he said. "I am thinking about hosting a logger sports training program, nothing official yet, but stay tuned."
Patrick Roberge is the creative director of Rollin' Thunder and said Hurford's performance was key part of the nightly show.
"The logging segment is a highlight of the event," he said. "Logger sports was once iconic with the PNE and we brought it back this year because of the interest in it. We are really excited to have it back in a new theatrical way."
Rollin' Thunder takes place nightly at 10:30 p.m. at the Rogers Amphitheatre. The pyro-musical finale includes 60 performers including, dancers, musicians, singers and fire. For more information about the show visit
