Do you have the chops to be a pro lumberjack? Find out at the Boone County Fair

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – Ever wonder what it’s like to be a professional lumberjack?

The Great Lakes Timber Show is at the Boone County Fair to show fans that you don’t just roll out of bed with the ability throw axes, balance on floating logs and make quick, precision cuts trough a giant piece of timber with a chainsaw.

The show is led by Dale Bockrath, a former professional lumberjack competitor who competed on the national circuit.

“I competed in the 90s and the early 2000s and then got into doing these demonstrations as I got older,” said Bockrath, 53. “And, now this is what I do.”

The Great Lakes Timber Show appears at about 24 venues every year. There are three shows per day at the six-day Boone County Fair, two on Sunday.

Aside from all the cutting action the dead-eye ax throws, the show features a log-rolling exhibition that takes brute strength, a ton concentration and eve more skill.

“You stand on a log in a lake or a pool of water, ” said log roller John Hurthibise.
And you have to stay on top of the log while your friend on the other side of the log tries to spin you off.”

The Great Lakes Timber Show demonstrations are free with the price of fair admission.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.