The Greatest Shows on Earth—Logging Expos in the Lake States Region Scheduled
North Star Expo: September 15th and 16th in Grand Rapids, MN
Author | Ray Higgins | MN Timber Producers Association
Minnesota’s largest logging equipment show, The North Star Expo, returns September 15th and 16th to the Itasca County Fairgrounds in Grand Rapids, the heart of Minnesota’s Logging Community.
Sponsored by the Minnesota Timber Producers Association (TPA), this year marks the 70th birthday of the event. TPA sponsored its first logging equipment show at the Tomahawk Timber Company Offices at Forest Center near Lake Isabella on August 27, 1953. The Expo has grown over the past seven decades and has long been the largest event for the logging, trucking, and forest products industry in Minnesota, a true celebration of the importance of our industry to Minnesota’s way of life.
On top of the millions of dollars in logging equipment on display and loggers, truckers, and industry vendors from all over the state, the Expo also draws policymakers, lawmakers, and stakeholders from every corner of our industry. Making the North Star Expo the “Great Minnesota Logging Get-together.”
Also attending the Expo each year are hundreds of students from around the region participating in the “Future Forest Stewards” (FFS) program. Created through a partnership with the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Itasca Economic Development Corp., and others, FFS includes presentations on all aspects of forestry and logging and a chance to see a live timber harvest, all designed to learn about careers in the timber industry and expose the next generation to a lifetime working in the woods.
Since that first equipment show 70 years ago, we’ve seen huge changes in the logging industry, from when lumberjacks used horses for harvesting timber to today’s 21st Century equipment.
We look forward to seeing you September 15th and 16th at the Itasca County Fairgrounds for Minnesota’s premier logging and equipment extravaganza: The 2023 North Star Expo!
Great Lakes Logging and Heavy Equipment Expo
Author | Mindy Herman | Great Lakes Timber Producers Association
The 77th Annual Great Lakes Logging & Heavy Equipment Expo will be held in Escanaba, Michigan, on September 7-9, 2023, at the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds. Hosted and organized by Great Lakes Timber Producers Association, the annual 3-day EXPO is the Midwest’s largest “Cut to Length” forest products tradeshow. It continues to showcase the forestry and heavy equipment industries. Over 200 exhibitors display, demonstrate, and promote the newest technology and products on the market. Attractions include live demonstrations, chainsaw carvings, loader and forwarder contests, and much more. Plan to attend a fun-filled evening at the Kickoff event, which provides dinner, refreshments, raffles, and plenty of networking.
The Great Lakes Logging & Heavy Equipment Expo is fun for the entire family. Children under 18 are free, and a $20 admission is good for all three days of the show! Come enjoy seeing how forest industry professionals are vital to our economy and how they work to “Enhance Multiple-Use Forests for Future Generations.” For more information, visit www.gltpa.org or call (715) 304-2861.
We look forward to seeing you in September!
Logging and Heavy Equipment Expo (2019)
