• Only six of the most elite chainsaw artists will be selected. Artists will be selected based on examples of current work and/or other competition pieces. You must submit 3-5 images or website references with your completed application. (If you have attended Whittle the Wood Rendezvous in previous years you are still required to submit examples with your application. Non-compliance may result in application denial). Applications are due Friday, February 13th. Late applications will be placed on a waiting list. You will be notified by February 20th, 2026, of acceptance/denial to our event.

• Each chainsaw artist and their immediate family or (one) guest will receive complimentary lodging in Craig (one room per night) for 4 nights (Wednesday, June 17th – Saturday, June 20th); lunch and dinner will be provided only on Thursday and Friday; and water/soda during the event. Due to insurance requirements, no other complimentary beverages will be provided during the competition. 

• Selected carvers will receive $1,000 show up money (amount payable when you arrive at the event).

• The City of Craig provides you with a free-standing stump. The stump selection lottery will be held at 4:00pm on Wednesday, June 17th, at the Fairgrounds covered picnic shelter. The free-standing stump allows you more freedom to create your work of art. You may opt to lay the stump down. All stumps are in the same area of the park which allows spectators to watch carvers working at the same time. We try to supply stumps that are similar in size and shape and predominately without branches. Each carver must provide their own tools. Scaffolding, power, and fuel will be provided. No other lubrication for tools will be supplied.

• Artists work outside, uncovered, so be prepared for the elements.

• Only one artist can work on their carving at any given time. No one else can assist you during the competition, which includes City of Craig employees.

• No other materials can be used other than the original stump. However, if joining pieces, it is permitted to use glued dowels, screws & lag bolts.

• We encourage artist creativity. Past winners include movie characters and wildlife. 

• All refueling must be done in designated areas. No fueling is allowed on the turf.

• Park security will be available Wednesday – Friday nights. There is no security available on Saturday night.

• Working hours are as follows:

Thursday & Friday - Sunrise to Sunset

Saturday - Sunrise until 3:00pm – tentative end time

• Judging for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be done by a panel of judges on Saturday, June 20. Competition ends - 3:00pm; Voting ends - 3:30pm; Awards Ceremony - 4:00pm; times are tentative.

Artist’s Choice and People’s Choice will receive a non-monetary award for 1st Place.

• The completed carvings will become the property of the City of Craig.

• General liability insurance coverage in the amount of $100,000 per person or $300,000 per occurrence, listing the City of Craig as an additionally insured for the period of operation at Whittle the Wood Rendezvous is required. Proof of general liability insurance is due prior to attending the event.

• Accepted carvers are required to provide a W-9 for U.S. residents or a W-8 for non-U.S. residents.

• Chainsaw artists are welcome to display and sell their wares without being charged a vendor’s fee. Selling your wares will require you to obtain a special event license through the State of Colorado and City of Craig separately. Proof of both Special Events Licenses is due prior to attending the event. For more information on each, please visit https://tax.colorado.gov/special-event-license and https://www.cityofcraig.org/departments/finance_department/special_events.php. Sales tax to be collected is 8.9%; including 2% State of Colorado and 2.9% Moffat County sales tax remitted together to the State of Colorado, and 4% for the City of Craig remitted separately. Both sales tax returns will be due by July 20th.

• In addition to our wood carving competition, the event includes a Silent Auction and Quick Carve competition. Details for both are as follows:

A Quick Carve competition will be held on both Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20, times TBD. A stump of comparable size and shape will be provided for each carver. Carvers have one hour to complete their carving. After completion, artwork will be live auctioned off to spectators. Proceeds from the auctioned carvings will be split 50/50 between the artist and the City of Craig. The City’s portion of the proceeds are used to offset event operation costs. We kindly encourage all carvers to participate in these events.