It may look like winter out there, but planning is already underway for a variety of local events and festivals set to take place all over the county this summer. Hang in there - summer will be here before we know it!
After a successful inaugural Shelby Chainsaw Carving Festival in 2025, organizers are taking it a step further in 2026. CarvePrize 2026, a spinoff of the famous ArtPrize held annually in Grand Rapids, is scheduled to begin May 15 and run through the 2nd annual carving festival on July 10 and 11 in downtown Shelby.
“It’s like ArtPrize, but with a rugged twist,” Shelby Village Administrator Phil Morse said. “CarvePrize will transform downtown Shelby into an open-air gallery of chainsaw-carved sculptures, drawing thousands of visitors. Artists from across the region will submit carvings they have made using only chainsaws, woodcarving tools and paint. These works of art will be displayed throughout the downtown and visitors will have a chance to vote for their favorite via an online voting platform.”
Sculptures will be mounted on decorative concrete blocks and anchored with 18-inch tie rods for safety and security. Winners of the people’s popular vote will be announced during the Chainsaw Carving Festival.
Each sculpture will also be available for purchase through a silent auction format, with the minimum starting bid at $750. Bids will be accepted via an online platform and then split between carvers (50 percent), festival costs (40 percent) and prize money (10 percent).
According to Morse, the goal for this first year is to have 20 carvings on display. The “intent to submit carvings” deadline will be March 1, 2026. “Delivery deadline” will be April 15, 2026. Carvings must be a maximum of eight (8) feet tall with a maximum diameter of 24 inches; sculptures must be made of pine logs only and have a pre-drilled hole 18 inches deep and one (1) inch in diameter for mounting. A photo of the intended sculpture must be provided before delivery is confirmed to ensure standards are met.
Five different sponsorship packages, to help support Shelby’s Chainsaw Carving Festival and accompanying CarvePrize 2026, are now available. Gifts anywhere from $250 to over $5,000 will receive a variety of business/individual recognition, listings and logo placement.
Anyone interested in being a part of this unique opportunity, whether by volunteering, carving, bidding or sponsoring is asked to contact Morse at 231-861-4401 or shelbycarvingfestival@gmail.com
