08/27/2026
🪵 WHITTLIN’ WEDNESDAY — 71 YEARS IN THE MAKING! 🪵
On September 2, 1955, Leslie, Arkansas found itself in the pages of Collier’s Magazine — and our little Ozark town earned a pretty unforgettable title:
🪵 “The Whittling Capital of America” 🪵
The story celebrated something that was simply part of everyday life in Leslie — men sitting along the streets, pocketknives in hand, turning pieces of wood into curls of shavings, conversation and sometimes something pretty remarkable.
71 years later, we’re still whittlin’.
And at the 2nd Annual Whittlin’ & Fiddlin’ Festival, we aren't just remembering that heritage — we're bringing it back to life.
Throughout the day you'll have the chance to meet master whittlers, experienced woodcarvers and talented craftspeople who will be demonstrating their skills, sharing what they know and helping others learn.
🪵 Watch a master whittler at work
🔪 Learn some of the techniques yourself
👐 Meet artisans creating handmade goods
🎨 See traditional craftsmanship happening right in front of you
And then we're taking woodcarving to a MUCH bigger scale…
🦅 CHAINSAW CARVING!
A talented and well-known local chainsaw carver, known to many simply as “Termite,” will be demonstrating throughout the day.
If you’ve seen the beautiful Eagle Memorial beside the flagpole at Leslie City Hall, you’ve already seen his work — and you can also spot another of his carvings outside Brick House Artisans, purchased during last year’s Whittlin’ & Fiddlin’ Festival.
From the quiet scrape of a pocketknife against a piece of wood to the roar of a chainsaw transforming a log into art, this is craftsmanship you get to experience — not just look at.
And don't forget…
🌎🪵 AT HIGH NOON, WE WHITTLE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS! 🪵🌎
We're gathering whittlers together for our WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT, and we need YOU to help us fill Downtown Leslie with whittlers and wood shavings!
📅 Saturday, September 19, 2026
📍 Downtown Leslie, Arkansas
🕛 World Record Attempt at NOON
For one day, we're bringing the Whittling Capital of America back to life.
Come watch. Come learn. Come WHITTLE with us. 🪵❤️
