Tour My Town

Pennsylvania Between the historic architecture and the beautiful Allegheny National Forest, a visit to Ridgway is full of interesting experiences. And Julie Chen got to try her hand at chainsaw carving when she visited the area for The Early Show's "Tour My Town" series. When Liz Boni wrote to invite The Early Show to visit Ridgway, it wasn't the quaint downtown or the glorious Allegheny National Forest she wanted to talk about. It was her town's most famous art form: "Anywhere that you find woods, you're going to find a chainsaw carver." Start getting to know Ridgway through its Chamber of Commerce Web site. Among other interesting information, you'll find a link to the Ridgway Heritage Council, which takes care of historic preservation, and information on local events, like the annual triathlon and the local trout derby in Elk Creek. Also, check out the Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous Location Ridgway is the county seat of Elk County, which is located in northwest Pennsylvania, and covers an area of about 2.7 square miles. Facts Population: As of the 2000 census, approximately 4,591. Elk: Reintroduced to Pennsylvania beginning in 1913, the first herd of 50 Rocky Mountain elk traveled from Wyoming to Pennsylvania by train. Another 95 arrived two years later. The herd continues to thrive in Pennsylvania and now numbers near 800. Chainsaw carving: The Ridgway Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous started small: a group of six carvers gathering in backyards to show off and compare their talents. Today, this annual event is the largest of its kind and has grown into the area's most famous artistic event.