The US Log Rolling Open returns to Van Cleve Park for its 9th annual competition. Hosted by the City of Gladstone, the event will take place on Thursday, July 4, with action kicking off at 11 a.m. EDT.

GLADSTONE — As part of the City of Gladstone’s Annual 4th of July Festival, the US Log Rolling Open returns to Van Cleve Park for its 9th annual competition. Hosted by the City of Gladstone, the event will take place on Thursday, July 4, with action kicking off at 11 a.m. EDT.

Featuring a total purse of $7,200, the US Log Rolling Open boasts the largest single-day payout on the professional log rolling circuit. This year, 31 professional competitors from across the country will take to the logs, representing Florida, New York, California, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Back by popular demand, the thrilling Boom Running competition will follow the log rolling finals, delivering lightning-fast footraces on floating logs.

Among the top athletes sharpening their spikes for this year’s event are current World Champions Livi Pappadopoulos (Holmen, WI) and Marcus Heineck (Weston, WI), along with a roster of seasoned competitors and fan favorites: Tanner Hallett, Anthony Polentini, Shana Verstegen, Meredith Ingbretson, Connor Birdsong, Sam Polentini, and rookie Aini Anderson. Keep an eye on the up-and-coming youth competitors, eager to challenge the veterans and shake up the standings.

Gladstone has a long-standing tradition in professional log rolling, having hosted several marquee competitions throughout the 1980s and ’90s, including the 1999 Log Rolling World Championships. The US Log Rolling Open is proud to build on that legacy.

The area is also home to many legendary birlers, including this year’s Master of Ceremonies, 10-time World Champion Dan McDonough, as well as 1926 World Champion Billy Gerard, 1981 Champion Fred Sayklly, and Don Jacobs, a seven-time Senior Men’s World Champion. Longtime fans may also remember Lee LeCaptain, and Fred and Missy Sayklly, known for their trick and fancy log rolling as The River Kids.