The inaugural Mermaid Madness Carving Competition and MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Drive will be held at the Mermaid Deli & Pub in Westport’s Marina District this weekend. There is no admission charge to attend the event to watch chainsaw carvers-in-action or to participate in the carved items auctions.
Wood carver and jewelry maker Tony Robinson of Native Beach Accessories organized the event not only to showcase the talents of several carvers, but also to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis research.
On Sunday at 2 p.m., there will be a raffle drawing for a major pre-carved piece by Robinson to benefit MS research. The artwork is now on display at Mermaid Deli & Pub.
Tickets for the raffle at $3 each are available now and will be sold both Saturday and Sunday up until the 2 p.m. Sunday prize drawing.
Featured carvers
In addition to Robinson, carvers on tap for Mermaid Madness as we went to press include Bruce Thor, an internationally-known carving artist and muralist, Dave Tremko, a 23-year veteran and multiple award winner on the chainsaw art carving circuit that was featured on the Jay Leno show in 2004, Tokeland carver Al Holbrook who operated Current Sea Gallery last summer in the Marina District with business associate, world-renown carver Jeffro Uitto, metal sculptor Rob Graham, who is now trying his hand at chainsaw carving and Dan Sassaman, who is relatively new to the game, but already making a name for himself with his artistic accomplishments in wood.
Saturday events
The chainsaw artists will begin their work in the Mermaid Deli’s parking lot at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, with a 4 p.m. deadline for completion. The carvers will take a lunch break from 12 to 12:30 p.m. and then start chipping away on their artistic projects again until 4 p.m.
There also will be a short break from major project work for an 8-minute quick-carve competition at 2 p.m., with the winner chosen by those in attendance at that time.
An auction will be held for the day’s completed pieces at 4 p.m., with auctioneer Rusty McClintick calling for bids and bringing the hammer down.
Sunday events
Sunday carving will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a High-Noon two-man ‘Carving Standoff’ to create a 15-minute piece. Again, the audience will determine the winner.
If there is enough interest, a short auction also will be held on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Food and drink specials
Mermaid Deli & Pub will offer food and drink specials throughout the weekend. Business hours this weekend are Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight. DJ music is offered every Friday and Saturday night for listening and dancing.
The Mermaid Deli & Pub is located at 200 E. Patterson Ave., one block off N. Montesano Street just north of Westport Shipyard.
