Steve Baumgartner, a Fort Payne local, will have a tent set up in City Park from 10 AM – 6 PM featuring chainsaw carving demonstrations and items for sale.

A native of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Steve spent his youth outdoors hunting, fishing, and working on the family farm.  He graduated from Michigan Tech University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and moved to the South in 2001.  He lives on Lookout Mountain with his wife and three children.  An artist who, at a young age, had an affinity for building rustic furniture from wood he found in ditches and side roads near his home, Steve only began chainsaw carving in 2019, with bears and other small animals.  Since then, he has carved everything from small mushrooms to life-sized grizzlies and bigfoots.

Steve likes the challenge that comes with filling custom requests and the opportunity to give back through his hobby.  He also enjoys the time that carving allows him to spend with his kids.  His middle child is a talented painter and does most of the finishing work and color matching on custom pieces.  Most of his carvings are donated to charities and organizations in Dekalb county, but you can find some items for sale in the Boom Town Maker’s market on Main Street.  Visit the “UP North” Facebook page to see his entire portfolio!