Traditional forestry events such as axe throwing, wood chopping and splitting, and log rolling were demonstrated by four of New Zealand's top lumberjacks, Ben James, Troy Kirkby and New Zealand Axemans' Team members Chris Harris of Tokoroa and "Big" Bobby Dowling of Tuatapere.
Many of the crowd also stopped for the lumberjacks' light-hearted look at forestry history.
The men were part of the Rotorua-based Kiwi Lumberjack Show and, while the emphasis was on entertainment, it was easy to see the high skill levels involved.
Ben James, the show's producer, said the sport of lumberjacking was growing in New Zealand with men - and women - regularly competing in the United States.
In the travelling show the men had a bit of a "goof off", but they were still keeping once-vital skills alive, Mr James said.
The vocal crowd was treated to blokey rivalry and down-to-earth humour.
But the accuracy in throwing axes, carving chairs from logs and power chopping was no joke.
Mr James said lumberjack skills were more difficult to pick up than mainstream sports such as rugby, but fellow lumberjacks were always ready to share their knowledge.
"It's not like where you can just start kicking a ball . . . but people are always keen to help out," he said.
The Lake County show also featured most of the traditional A and P attractions; a grand parade, horse riding competitions and stalls selling local products and produce.
