Shari Staiduhar’s buzzing chainsaw was a familiar sound on the midway during this year’s 200th Great Geauga County Fair.

Shari Staiduhar’s buzzing chainsaw was a familiar sound on the midway during this year’s 200th Great Geauga County Fair.

Staiduhar, who owns Rocky Mountain Carving Creations in Thompson Township, showed off her chainsaw carving expertise Sept. 1, creating bears, eagles, horses, owls and many other detailed carvings on the busy midway.

“There is a definite variety of wood carvings I do,” said Staiduhar. “I tried to work on different things because this is my 21st year here.”

Alongside her workstation, Staiduhar’s booth displayed a variety of her finished wooden creations for sale during the five-day event.

“There’s nothing out there that I can’t make. I can make anything that anybody wants,” said Staiduhar. “Especially from a picture.”

The self-taught carver has a knack for working fast and creating lifelike and detailed pieces, which comes from a wealth of experience over the past 25 years.

“I have 35 chainsaws and I use specific saws for specific applications,” she said. “Typically, you start with one, but that’s why you have 35, so that I can change and go to a different saw if needed.”

Staiduhar said she looks forward to keeping the crowd entertained and watching the audience’s jaws drop.

“I go very fast and it does blow a lot of people’s minds. I do that to keep everybody in tune with what’s going on and not get to the point where okay, this is boring,” said Staiduhar. “If you take too long with the carving, they don’t get to see the finished product.”

In a matter of minutes, Staiduhar carves a Brutus the Buckeye, formed from the top half of a log.

“I worked on the Brutus the Buckeye for the Apple Pie auction,” said Staiduhar. “He turned out pretty good and he’s holding his football.”

Staiduhar said bears are usually everyone’s go-to item, but there hasn’t been a particular carving which has been popular for fairgoers.

“I’ve had roosters, chickens, corn, tree frogs, turtles and Santa,” said Staiduhar. “There is just such a variety.”

The price for Staiduhar’s creations ranges from $45 to $1,000.

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