ECHO to Sponsor 4th Annual Chain Saw Carving Series Championship

The 4th Annual ECHO Chain Saw Carving Series Championship at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta promises some tough competition from an interesting mix of contenders from across the U.S. and Japan.

Competing Oct. 3 to 5 in New Mexico will be Terry Ahola of Grands Pass, Ore.; Zoe Boni of Ridgway, Pa.; Mark Colp of Lakeport, Calif.; Mark Herrington of Wilkeson, Wash.; Kurita Hiromu of Ichihara City, Chiba, Japan; Bob King of Edgewood, Wash.; Dayton Scoggins of Heidelberg, Miss.; and Jeff Samudosky of Columbia, Conn.

The eight world-class chain saw carvers gained seats in the ECHO sponsored Championship by placing in the top rankings of one of four qualifying events. They will compete in New Mexico to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Mexico and to win cash/prizes totaling more than $70,000. While each brings home a prize bounty, only one wins the prestigious ECHO cup.

Returning this year is two-time winner Bob King and one-time winner Dayton Scoggins. King and Mark Colp are both members of ECHO's national chain saw carving team, who compete worldwide under the ECHO banner and serve as ambassadors for the company.

This year the carvers will have 20 hours over three days to produce masterpiece sculptures. The final sculptures will be judged on Oct. 5 and then auctioned with all proceeds benefiting the Make a Wish Foundation of New Mexico. This year's carving theme mirrors the Fiesta's theme -- "Launching Dreams" -- and ECHO has set a goal of raising two wishes per auctioned sculpture. One "wish" is $5,000.

The Fiesta is a perfect visual venue for the Championship. With 700 participating balloons, the Balloon Fiesta is the largest ballooning event in the world, the most photographed event on earth and the largest annual international event held in the U.S. More than 400,000 visitors are expected opening weekend Oct. 4 and 5, which will also play host to two famous balloon races -- the 52nd Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett and the America's Challenge.

Visit http://www.balloonfiesta.com for more details and schedules.