The annual Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous, long held in Ridgeway, might be moving to the Butler Farm Show Grounds. The event is set for Feb. 18 to 25.

BUTLER TWP — The Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau is in the process of bringing another crowd pleaser to the county.

Jack Cohen, executive director, told the bureau’s board of directors, who met Thursday at the Butler County Community College’s Public Safety Training Center, that he has met with the directors of the Ridgway Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous about moving the event to Butler County.

Cohen said he and representatives from the chain saw event, based in Elk County, met in Slippery Rock last week,

“They have had to change facilities and the new place (in Ridgway) just isn’t big enough for them, so we suggested the Butler Farm Show Grounds and the Ridgway folks seem to like (the facility),” Cohen said. “We’re still talking and hope they will want to move the event here.”

Cohen told the board the weeklong rendezvous attracts about 20,000 people.

The 13th rendezvous is set for Feb. 18 to 25 with more than 164 chain saw carvers registered to attend.

According to the rendezvous’ website, the festival began in 1999 with brothers Rick and Randy Boni, both master chain saw carvers. Their family and friends came together to present carving to the Ridgway area.

After the second family event, Rick and his wife, Liz, began organizing the larger event that will be occurring in a few weeks.

At the end of each rendezvous week, visitors can bid on the carved pieces to take home.

Cohen said he would keep the bureau’s board members informed on the matter.