Susie Polentini photo Ben Rawson, left, gives a boot of water to Anthony Polentini during a log rolling competition in Gladstone.

GLADSTONE — For the fifth consecutive year, Gladstone’s Annual 4th of July Festival will include the US Log Rolling Open, now in its 7th annual competition. The event, carrying a purse of $7,200 dollars, returns on Tuesday, July 4h in Van Cleve Park.

A record number of professional men and women birlers will compete beginning at 11 a.m. New to Gladstone this year will be boom running competition, immediately following log rolling contests.

Current reigning world champions, Livi Pappadopoulos of Holmen, Wis. and Anthony Polentini of Minneapolis will be vying to keep their titles. Polentini is a three-time log rolling world champion and a boom running world champion. Other decorated athletes sharpening their spikes for Gladstone this year are crowd favorites, Shana Verstegen, Jenny Atkinson, Meredith Ingbretson, Ellie Davenport, Connor Birdsong, and Tanner Hallett. Be sure to keep an eye on the younger, eager, and upcoming eager talent, more than ready to take on the establishment.

Legendary, nine-time Log Rolling World Champion Dan McDonough will be coming out of retirement in hopes of reclaiming his title. McDonough grew up in Escanaba and is and an integral part of the rich history of log rolling in Northern Michigan.

In addition to McDonough, Gladstone natives may remember other notable birlers who hail from the area: 1926 World Champion, Billy Gerard; 1981 Champion Fred Sayklly; Don Jacobs who won seven senior men’s world championships. Lee Le Captain, Fred and Missy Sayklly, also known as The River Kids, won numerous trick and fancy accolades.

Throughout the 1980s and 90s, Gladstone hosted several pro log rolling events, including the 1999 Log Rolling World Championships. US Log Rolling Open is proud to add to that legacy.