Ohio’s forests have come a long way since settlers cleared them out to establish farming land some 200 years ago.

Since 1903, the Ohio Forestry Association, then a society, worked to re-establish those lost trees, tripling the forest land base since its formation.

Now, the Ohio Forestry Association serves as a trade association, representing forest products and industry. The non-profit works as political lobbyists, forestry educators and youth advocates.

According to OFA Executive Director Brad Perkins, the forestry industry makes a $26 billion economic impact in Ohio, employing more than 120,000 in jobs within or associated with the forestry industry.

Each year, the Ohio Forestry Association takes its trade to the public, hosting a weekend of forestry and logging events during the Paul Bunyan Show at the Guernsey County Fairgrounds.

Enthusiasts from around the state and the country attend the event to see and participate in the various demonstrations and competitions centered around wood.

Event manager Gayla Fleming said some of those events include physical skill competitions such as ax throwing, chainsaw cutting and underhand chopping, as well as machinery skills involving skid steering and log loading.

Craft, clothing, equipment and food vendors will be on site all weekend.

Some special guests include world champion lumberjack, Jason Lentz and professional stock car racing driver Grant Enfinger.

The Official Paul Bunyan Show runs from Oct. 5-7 at the Guernsey County Fairgrounds.

Friday and Saturday hours are 8-5 p.m. and Sunday is 9-3 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children and seniors and free for children ages six and under.

Tickets cover the cost of parking.