One, two, tree, go!

KNYSNA NEWS - After a positive start to the eighth annual Knysna Timber Festival, the weather put a damper on proceedings as it rained out all activities on the final day.

The festival had started on a high note on Friday 13 March, with organisers seeing the best Friday attendance in the event's history.

The record number of festivalgoers were treated to a line-up of phenomenal local and international speakers who spoke on various topics relating to the timber industry of the past, present and future in Knysna and South Africa, with some also talking on topics such as agroforestry. Principal of the festival, Karl van Lith, was thrilled about the first day's attendance. "We're really pleased with the number of people that came through the gate, it puts us in good stead for the weekend," Van Lith said.

It did indeed, and with a wide range of timber sports to come on Saturday, spectators were to be treated to heaps of entertainment. While attendance wasn't quite what they had hoped for in the morning, things started looking up towards the afternoon, which was when the world record attempt would take place. A large crowd gathered to witness 48 people set a world record for the most simultaneous chainsaws going off in one shot (see back page). Thereafter, the knockout rounds of the timber sports came, and according to Van Lith, they experienced positive feedback from spectators.

"Everyone seemed to really enjoy it, and the families in particular had a great time," he said. There had been a mountain bike race and fund-a-forest drive planned for Sunday, but unfortunately rain had the final say on the festival. The stalls were still up and open for the day for people who braved the weather, but no events were able to take place. "It's a pity that rain had the final say, but we are looking ahead to next year and will look to implement a number of things we learnt from this year's festival," Van Lith said.

Devon Olivier and Mareylin Fourie spent their Saturday enjoying the timber sports.