Courtesy photo Ellie Davneport, wearing blue shoes, competes with Livi Pappadopoulos in the Womens Log Rolling finals in Gladstone.

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

Returning to Gladstone this year will be the boom running competition to immediately follow log rolling contests Competition will begin at 11 a.m.

Current reigning World Champions, Livi Pappadopoulos of Holmen, Wis. and Tanner Hallett of Hermosa Beach, Calif. Other decorated athletes sharpening their spikes for Gladstone this year are crowd favorites Anthony Polentini, Shana Verstegen, Claire Keech, Meredith Ingbretson, Ellie Davenport, Katie Burke, Connor Birdsong, Sam Polentini, Nick Magnone, and rookie Marcus Heineck. Be sure to keep an eye on the younger and eager upcoming talent, more than ready to take on the establishment, organizers said.

“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,” organizers said.

Gladstone natives may remember legendary birlers who hail from the area: the Master of Ceremonies, 10x World Champion, Dan McDonough, 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.