Wood carvers return to Evart for roundup

Sally Barber | Cadillac News Ohio woodcarver Ray Miller and Dick McDonald of Hortonville, Mich., work on portraitures during the ninth annual Wood Carvers Roundup in Evart. The event attracts 500 carvers from across the country every year.

EVART — With a sharp knife and hunk of wood, you may find yourself in love with a new hobby.

That’s how the 500 men and women attending the ninth annual Woodcarver Roundup in Evart began their love affair with the craft.

Seventy-five (carving) clubs from around the country are represented at the event, according to Sandy Holder, a member of the host club, the Osceola Wood Carvers.

“They come from all over,” Holder said. “We have them from Florida, Tennessee, New York, New Jersey, North and South Carolina, Virginia, Texas and Canada.”

The Roundup takes place at the Osceola County 4-H and FFA Fairgrounds where about 80 percent of participants camp onsite for the four-day session.

More than 40 workshops are offered, ranging from power carving, caricature whimsical cottages, spirals, angels, masks and chip carving.

“If you want to learn wood carving, this is a good place to start,” Holder said.

Doug Rose of Harrison has been carving for about 10 years and marks his fourth year participating at the Evart event.

“When I was getting ready to retire, I wanted a hobby I could pack up and take with me,” he said. “This allows me to do that.”

The Roundup provides an opportunity for carvers to establish new friendships and get together with old friends.

“I meet people from all over the United States,” Rose said. “A lot of my friends come here and we get instruction in different things. This exposes you to a lot of different ideas.”

Bark carving is one of those new and popular ideas on the agenda this year, according to Holder.

Vicki DeGraft of Big Rapids has tried a lot of ideas during the nine years she has been carving.

“To get started all you need is a good knife, patience and wood,” she said. “When you really get serious, you get the gouges.”

Carving is a relaxing and satisfying hobby, according to DeGraft.

“I think it’s the process of creating something beautiful with my own hands,” she said.

While most Roundup participants are retired, children, too, are getting hooked on the traditional craft. Sydney Doretich, 9, of Ohio tried power carving using a small electric-tool.

“It’s pretty cool,” she said. “I have made a butterfly, a feather and a whale tail.”

Rose believes the hobby of carving will continue to gain new followers.

“I think it will grow with more people retiring,” he said. “It’s a hobby you can spend as much or as little money on as you want.”

The event runs through Saturday and is open to novice to advanced carvers.

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Woodcarvers Roundup