By Chris Tataryn Journal/Brandon This weekend, on April 14 and 15, the Royal Oak Inn and Suites will be playing host to one of the largest woodworking shows in south-western Manitoba, the Seventh Annual Wheat City Carvers Show and Competition. “The event is a great show and a great competition,” said Tab Dudley, member of the Wheat City Carvers. “Carvers and woodworkers come from all around the province of Manitoba and Saskatchewan with their carvings. We’re hoping to get about 200 carvings again this year.” The show offers many categories for every style or woodworking, including woodcarving, intarsia, scroll saw work, and wood turning, as well as many more, in which competitors will display their work to win prizes and ribbons, or in two special categories a chance to win $300. “There are two ‘Purchase Awards’ being sponsored at the show this year,” said Dudley. “The way the ‘Purchase Awards’ work is that a sponsor will offer $300 for a carving of their specific choice, and then many people can enter that type of carving. The judges will pick the best one, and the sponsor will pay the creator and get a new sculpture to display for themselves. This year Murray Chev is sponsoring an award for a coyote, while Tory Neald, from Neald Glass in Regina, is sponsoring an award for any North American bird.” While there are experienced judges for most of the categories, entrants also compete for the People’s Choice award, in which the public attending the show get their say at what’s best. “Admission is only $3, and everyone who pays gets a vote in the People’s Choice award,” said Dudley. “They also get to see hundreds of amazing carvings, watch live carving and woodworking, and even purchase some excellent carvings if they are interested.” The different categories for wood carving include mammals, North American birds, live-sized decoys, figurines and heads, ‘all natural’ carvings, relief and chip carving, fish, amphibians and reptiles, abstract or ornamental carvings, miniatures no more than eight inches tall, natural material carvings made of bone, antler, stone or bark, and a miscellaneous category for everything else. Wood working includes categories for intarsia, scroll saw, wood turning, and a miscellaneous category. “The birds and mammals are the most common usually,” said Dudley. “But the detail on all the carvings is just magnificent. There are some really beautiful pieces on display; it’s absolutely worth seeing for only $3. Some of these pieces would be worth thousands of dollars if they were to be sold.” Tickets are available at the door or by calling 726-4380. The show runs from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 14, and from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 15.