“Carving Into Creativity: Red Oak’s Chainsaw Carving Festivals”

Nestled in the scenic Scandia Mountains of Western Pennsylvania, Red Oak Campground offers more than just shady campsites and modern bathhouses, it transforms wood into wonder with its annual carving events. Located at 225 Norman Road in Russell (just 15 miles northeast of Warren, PA), the campground sits a stone’s throw from the Kinzua Dam reservoir, making it the perfect backdrop for watching raw logs become works of art.

Spring Chainsaw Carving & Craft Festival (May 9–10, 2025)

Mark your calendars for Mother’s Day weekend, when the roar of chainsaws heralds the arrival of top carvers from across the region. From 10 AM to 5 PM on Friday and 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturday, witness jaw-dropping demos as artists hew bears, eagles, and whimsical totems out of massive logs. Finished pieces are available for purchase right at the carvers’ sites, and a lively auction kicks off at 2 PM on Saturday, where you can bid on your favorite masterpiece.

Fall Chainsaw Carving & Fall Craft Festival (September 5–7, 2025)

Celebrate the changing leaves with another weekend of live carving, craft vendors, and mouthwatering fall fare. The autumn festival mirrors spring’s excitement, chainsaw artists create dazzling sculptures all weekend, with an auction at 2 PM on Saturday, but adds food trucks serving seasonal treats and a portion of proceeds donated to Care Camps for Kids with Cancer.

More than Just a Show

These aren’t competitive events, they’re a carver “family reunion.” Quick-carve demos, sponsor carves, and communal meals in the pavilion foster camaraderie between artists and spectators. Carvers often arrive days early to prep their blocks and welcome campers to learn wood-burning tips or try their hand at craft projects in the café. Dinner is provided for registered carvers, while pancake breakfasts fuel everyone for another day of spinning sawdust and stacking memories.

Why You’ll Love It

Watching a chainsaw slice through a log, and then stand back to admire a lifelike owl or majestic bear—is pure magic. These festivals invite you to support local artisans, take home a one-of-a-kind keepsake, and discover why chainsaw carving has become a beloved Appalachian tradition. Plus, with modern cabins, full-hookup RV sites, and tent spots just steps from the action, you can swap city noise for sawdust serenity.

Ready to witness the sparks fly? Reserve your site at Red Oak Campground, where nature, craftsmanship, and community come together in every sculpted groove.