Chainsaws & Community: Hemlock Sawdust Days

The third weekend in September, which we are coming up on next weekend, is the busiest weekend for festivals in the State of Michigan. In Saginaw County, you can undoubtedly find a variety of festival-activity as well. Today, the Castle Test Kitchen thought we’d venture back out to the rural area of Richland Township or Hemlock for some festival history…

Hemlock, Michigan, may be small, but it’s always had big ideas—and a lot of lumber. Born in the 1860s as a scrappy lumber town along the Plank Road, the community never forgot its lumbering roots.

Fast forward to the late 1970s. Louie and Pat Dupuis, owners of Hemlock Hardware, had the brilliant idea to draw in customers with a chainsaw demo. (Because who doesn’t want to watch someone rev a chainsaw on a Saturday afternoon?) People came out, watched, chatted with neighbors, and left smelling faintly of two-stroke engine oil. The Dupuis’ thought: Hey, maybe we’re onto something.

So, in 1979, they tried again—this time adding a log splitter, a 99¢ “Lumberjack Breakfast” offered from Frost Restaurant next door, and meat specials from the local butcher. Some folks thought they were crazy. Others thought they were dreamers. Either way, Hemlock suddenly had its own festival.

At first, names like “Apple Days” floated around, but let’s be honest—“Sawdust Days” just sounded cooler (and way more Hemlock). From the back lot of the hardware store, it expanded to the storefronts down Saginaw Street (M-46), including sidewalk sales, a talent show, pedal pull, parade and famous penny scramble—where kids were invited to search through a pile of sawdust for pennies. Eventually, the festival landed in Richland Township Park once the highway widened and street parking was removed.

Today, 47 years later, Sawdust Days is a full-blown community celebration with crafts, food, music, a beer tent and activities for all ages—including the world’s best small town beard and braids contest at 1 p.m. on Saturday of the festival. Proof that sometimes all it takes to start a festival is a chainsaw, a pancake special, and a couple of folks willing to dream big.

For all the details on this weekend’s (September 19-21) upcoming festival, visit hemlocksawdustdays.com

The Recipe: Lumberjack Pancakes

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup milk

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon of butter, melted, plus extra for the griddle

1 tablespoon brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

1/4 teaspoon salt

Maple syrup and butter for serving.

Mix dry ingredients - oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt - in a bowl. In another bowl, combine wet ingredients - melted butter, eggs, milk, and brown sugar. Stir the wet into the dry ingredients. 

Heat a griddle over medium heat. Grease with butter and drop about 1/2 cup pancake batter onto griddle. Cook until the edges set and bubbles are forming on the surface, about 2 to 4 minutes. Flip with a spatula and cook for another 2 to 4 minutes. 

Serve with butter and maple syrup. 

CTK Notes:

These were surprisingly tasty even if they are a bit denser than a typical pancake. The cinnamon really adds something so I wouldn't leave it out. These would also be delicious with some jam or apple pie filling on top, though I don't expect lumberjacks often had such luxuries. 

Find the “original” lumberjack breakfast this Saturday, September 20, before the parade from 7-10 a.m. at the Hemlock United Methodist Church (406 W. Saginaw Street). Cost varies. It is the final year that the HUMC is putting it on, as their churches have merged and decided to close after Sawdust Days. So don't miss out on this last chance to be a part of history (and eat pancakes!)