Axe of Valor bringing axe throwing to Pine Tree Festival

Back by popular demand, Axe of Valor will once again bring axe throwing excitement to the Pine Tree Festival with its mobile axe throwing unit. Originating from lumberjack competitions, axe throwing continues to grow in popularity as a stand-alone sport that combines precision, strength, and focus as participants hurl axes at wooden targets, aiming for the bullseye.

Axe of Valor’s professional, certified coaches will be on hand to ensure a safe environment and guide participants in their axe throwing endeavors.

Founded in Vidalia, Axe of Valor pays homage to four courageous firefighters who risked their lives in a harrowing 2021 rescue. Captain Larry Monroe, one of the heroes who rescued two people from the fully involved structure fire, initiated Axe of Valor to honor his comrades.

Axe of Valor will be open during Rhythm & Pines on Friday night and for the Pine Tree Festival on Saturday. They will be located near the Square in the area of Roger Shaw Street, where attendees will have the opportunity to select from a variety of axe throwing experiences available for purchase. The 77th Annual Pine Tree Festival will be held May 3-4 in downtown Swainsboro. For more information, including a full schedule of events, visit pinetreefestival.org.

Pine Tree Festival is produced by the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Festival Foundation, Inc. Come and enjoy the Rhythm & Pines Music Festival on May 3, beginning at 5 p.m. in downtown Swainsboro. On Saturday May 4, be sure to be on hand for the Grand Parade beginning at 10:30 a.m.

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May the Forest Be With You

Meet your favorite Star Wars character at

the 77th Annual Pine Tree Festival

Each year on the first full weekend in May, Swainsboro and Emanuel County come alive as they host the annual Pine Tree Festival. This year, Pine Tree Festival Saturday falls on a unique date – May 4. What’s special about that, you ask? Over the years, May 4 has grown to become known as “Star Wars Day,” in a play on a phrase made popular in Star Wars movies. The line “may the force be with you,” which can be heard throughout the movie, has been adapted to “May the 4th be with you,” and thus, May 4 has become known as “Star Wars Day.”

The fact that the county’s largest event will be held on Star Wars Day is not lost on organizers of the Pine Tree Festival. Instead, the festival committee has embraced the confluence of dates and events by adopting a fitting theme and slogan for this year’s celebration: May the Forest Be with You. And to further expand on this unique opportunity, five iconic characters from the Star Wars franchise will be joining the celebration. Pine Tree Festival attendees will have the chance to meet and take photos with their favorite Star Wars characters from both the Jedi Alliance and the Dark Side including Chewbacca, Princess Leia, R2D2, Darth Vader, and a Storm Trooper. The meet and greet is free of charge and will take place on the Square, in front of the Chamber of Commerce, beginning after the parade on Saturday.