Chain saw carvings show items of local significance, school spirit
News editor
When a FireHouse concert June 8 at Chingawassa Days was rained out, the Chingawassa Days committee was left with nothing for its money. But when a chain saw sculpture auction was rained out by the same storm, the committee was left with sculptures it could sell at a later date.
The committee has decided when and where it will sell the sculptures by Rick Sardou of R&L Creative Carvings. The committee will have a booth Sept. 21 at Art in the Park in Marion’s Central Park, committee member Chris Meierhoff said.
However, the sale won’t be done as an auction. The carvings will have set prices at the craft show. They will be in a booth right at the front of the park, by the information tent.
There are 12 sculptures. For college sports fans, there is a Kansas State University Powercat, Wichita State University Shocker, and University of Kansas Jayhawk.
Locally significant sculptures include a rhino — the mascot for Chingawassa Days and, to a lesser extent, all of Marion — and a vulture like the ones that often gather on the water tower overlooking Central Park. Sardou also carved a sculpture of Millie the Weather Dog from KWCH.
The remaining sculptures depict wildlife. There is a dolphin, pelican, eagle with fish, beaver, a wall-hanging fish, and Sardou’s specialty, a bear.