Fred Scheer's Lumberjack Show, still a Fair favorite

PALMER— The Alaska State Fair offers something new every year while holding onto old and familiar favorites.

A large and enthusiastic crowd filled the bleachers in the SBS Woodlot Thursday, Sept. 2 to watch Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Show in spite of the modest attendance across the grounds, proving that a time tested tradition spanning over three decades is still one of the Fair’s most popular attractions.

Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Show features fast-paced outdoor games involving chainsaws, axes, lots of logs, and lots of laughter. The show combines world class athletics with friendly banter and crowd engagement for a down-to-earth entertainment experience.

According to showrunner Tina Scheer, better known by her stage name, “Timber Tina,” the show her brother started many years ago has changed very little. She said they use the same jokes and skits with healthy room to improvise every time, and it continues to draw huge crowds every season at the Fair.

“It’s the same show every time and evidently, they love it,” Scheer said.

Scheer said that she looks forward to coming back to the Fair every season. She said her favorite part of putting on the Lumberjack Show has been making many memories to fondly look back on over the years, whether it’s with returning musicians like Hobo Jim, Fair vendors, or audience members.

“You get to know so many people. People come up year after year telling you how happy they are because they were brought up with your show. We’re at three generations now,” Scheer said. “It’s been really fun. It’s a Fair family for sure... Everybody knows everybody.”

This year’s lumberjack participants included Tom Lancaster or “Turbo Tom” from Anchorage, Jordan Camber from Wasilla, and Michael Robotham from Palmer.

Audience members are sucked into the show with friendly competition amongst the lumberjacks. They’re encouraged to cheer for the lumberjack from their respective areas and playfully heckle the rival lumberjack from a different community.

“We want rivalries, but It’s all for fun. You get your team to boo the other team,” Scheer said. “We laugh and joke all day long no matter, whether we’re at a show or not. So to come out in front of people and do it is pretty cool.

Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Show has become a Fair staple, something intertwined and highly expected each season, according to Scheer. She said they’re comfortably nestled in their familiar spot with no intention of going anywhere anytime soon.

The entertainment director once said, ‘if you guys weren’t here there’d be a mutiny,” Scheer said with a laugh. “Of course I think Alaska and lumberjacks go hand in hand.”

Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Show occurs daily at the Fairgrounds at 1, 3, and 6 p.m. For more information, visit alaskastatefair.org/site/events/fred-scheers-lumberjack-show.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com