Lumberjack World Championships Welcomes Charlie Berens
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 12, 2026 – Hayward, Wisconsin
A healthy dose of Wisconsin humor will return to the Northwoods as the legendary Lumberjack World Championships announces that Wisconsin comedy sensation Charlie Berens will headline the opening night celebration on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the historic Lumberjack Bowl in Hayward.
The midweek kickoff show will launch three thrilling days of world-class timber sports competition and Northwoods tradition. Tickets for the comedy event can be purchased at https://happsnow.com/team/lwc-entertainment and championship weekend are now available through https://happsnow.com/team/-lumberjack-world-championship.
Berens has become one of the Midwest’s most recognizable voices in comedy. The Wisconsin native is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Emmy-winning journalist, musician, and the creator of the viral comedy series Manitowoc Minute. His uniquely Wisconsin brand of humor has earned him appearances on Comedy Central, Fox, CBS, TBS, MTV News, and Variety, while his social media following has grown to more than 7.5 million fans.
“Bringing Charlie Berens to Hayward is the perfect way to kick off championship weekend,” said Event Director Sam LaSalle. “The Lumberjack World Championships celebrate our Northwoods culture, and Charlie captures that spirit in a way that people across the country connect with. It’s going to be a fantastic start to the event.”
For more than six decades, Hayward has hosted the most prestigious lumberjack and lumberjill competition in the world. Since 2017, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation has managed the event in partnership with the Lumberjack World Championships Board of Directors, helping continue the tradition while expanding the reach of the historic competition.
Athletes from around the globe will compete in 24 events that test strength, agility, balance, and precision. Spectators can expect thrilling competitions including log rolling, boom running, chopping, sawing, axe throwing, and speed climbing, showcasing the elite skills of professional timber sports athletes.
With a comedy kickoff, elite competition, and generations of tradition, the 2026 Lumberjack World Championships promise another unforgettable Northwoods celebration.
Additional details about schedules, athletes, and championship events will be released in the coming months.
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