Classic summertime fun with a nod to history embodied the annual Escalante Days and Nights festival held in Dolores over the weekend.
On Saturday, hundreds of people filled downtown to enjoy the traditional events, including the chain-saw, arm-wrestling and balloon-throwing contests.
The Ragland family again dominated the saw competition, winning first, second and third place in both the small-saw and big-saw categories.
Competitors have to make three cuts through a 12-inch Ponderosa log set up on a flatbed truck in the middle of Central Avenue. The cuts must be made within a 6-inch section of log.
Luke Ragland took first place in the small-saw competition with a time of 12.34 seconds. He also had the fastest time for the big-saw category, with 8.37 seconds, edging out his brother Jake by a half-second.
“Winning this is a family tradition,” he said. “I come down every year to beat my brother, and to make sure the Ragland name stays on top.”
In the small-saw contest, Doug Ragland took second place (15 seconds), and Jake Ragland took third place (15.91 seconds). In the big-saw category, Jake Ragland took second (8.87 seconds), and Harold Ragland took third place (9.19 seconds.)
Luke, a lawyer from Denver, said the trick to the fastest times is finesse over power.
“Limiting time between each cut is the key,” he said.
In the women’s category, Mariah Ragland made her mark this year as well. The 22-year-old’s steady control of the saw garnered the fastest time of 20.69 seconds.
“Feels good to be the first woman in the Ragland family to do it,” she said.
The popular event always draws a big crowd.
“It represents the history of logging in this area,” said longtime competitor Mark Rose. “But it’s tough to beat those Ragland boys.”
The arm-wrestling competition saw some tough match-ups.
Jade Lyle took first place in the women’s category, Raquel Hunter took second, and Elsie Zwicker took third.
“It was pretty tough, and exciting to compete and win,” said Lyle, a vet tech from Cortez. “It was my first time, and I’ll be back next year.”
In the middleweight division, Sonny Boren, 16, of Cortez, took first place, followed up by JJ Bartlett in second and Wyatt Jones in third.
“Feels great to win!” Boren said.
In the heavyweight division, Rich Morris fended off all competitors and took first place. Troy Hicks took second, and Jordan Johnson third.
“I’ve won a lot before, but got beat by a guy half my age this time. It’s always a good time,” Hicks said afterward.
The softball tournament attracted 19 teams from all over the Four Corners, said organizer Dane Gallaher.
“Over two days, we played 41 games on three fields,” he said. “There were some competitive match ups and a good crowd.”
In the A Bracket, the Cozona Eagles took first place, and Duece Duece took second. In the B Bracket, the Hawks took first place and 4C took second. In the ladies tournament, Diamond D won got the winners trophy, and Two Piece and a Biscuit took runner up.
The high school wrestling and football teams managed the tournament and concessions. They raised $2,000 for travel expenses for their upcoming season.
