WRITTEN BY CRYSTAL SANDS
Every two years, Cross Insurance Center in Bangor hosts the Loggers’ Expo, an event that is both fun and informative for anyone connected to the logging industry — or really, anyone at all.
Show Manager Joe Phaneuf emphasized that the Loggers’ Expo is open to everyone and is for more than just those working in the industry. The event offers something for anyone with an interest in the field, including the average homeowner who uses firewood or does their own tree work.
The expo takes place this year on May 16 and 17 in Bangor. Every other year (odd years), the event is held locally here in Bangor, alternating with Essex Junction, Vermont. The Loggers’ Expo gives buyers and sellers in the logging industry a place to come together and make deals, but the event also hosts live demonstrations and booths that are fun for both kids and adults.
And this year, the event promises to offer more for the public than ever before.
“The show seems to get a little bigger and better each year,” Phaneuf said.
He also emphasized that there really is something for everyone at the expo.
“The show, as usual, has lots of in-woods equipment, trucks, and tools. There are great deals being offered by hundreds of exhibitors that should interest those who make their living in the woods, as well as the homeowner who dabbles in firewood or tree work, Phaneuf said. “Members of the public usually enjoy seeing the big equipment when it’s shiny and new.”
Additionally, there are live demos of firewood processing equipment, portable sawmilling, as well as chipping and grinding equipment.
But new this year, the Axe Women Loggers of Maine will put on shows throughout the weekend. The Axe Women Loggers of Maine are an all-female team of logging sports athletes who perform worldwide. The team is known for axe throwing, cross-cut sawing, and log rolling, and their events are popular with crowds. The addition of this team is sure to bring a lot of excitement to this year’s program.
The expo also features competitions, which are big crowd pleasers every year. This year’s expo will include the Weller Log Loading Competition and the Komatsu Forwarder Competition. In these events, professionals compete against each other for bragging rights, as the public gets to watch experts in action. Phaneuf said the public always enjoys watching these competitions. The skill of the competitors is a sight to behold.
Phaneuf said there are other new things to check out at the expo this year.
“I’m excited that the Maine Logging Museum is bringing their Lombard Log Hauler to the show for everyone to see. This is one of the original pieces of modern in-woods equipment — sort of the granddaddy of lots of the equipment in operation today — and it still runs!”
Featuring 175 to 200 exhibitors, the 2025 Loggers’ Expo at the Cross Insurance Center will offer both information and entertainment for anyone interested in one of Maine’s biggest industries. There are demonstrations and competitions the whole family will enjoy and valuable education if you are interested in logging or just have a wood stove or wood boiler at home.
The expo will run Friday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the door, or you can avoid the lines and pre-register for the event at northernlogger.com/loggers-expo-2025.
