Anderson is a chainsaw artist. He has been cutting and carving a variety of figures for about 15 years, he said.

“I hand-crafted for years before I ever picked up a chainsaw,” Anderson said. “I think the first thing I ever carved was a bear.”

Since that time, Anderson has created animals, tractors, sports mascots, and welcome signs, among other items.

“I try to do something a little different each year,” he said. “It’s hard to come up with new ideas sometimes. Every now and again I’ll get some ideas from people who come by.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson A wood carving of a rabbit is shown here. Lynn Anderson, of Fort Dodge, said he puts a lot of detail in his work such as the butterfly on the rabbit's nose.

Anderson said for four days he works from about 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“It passes the time,” he said. “It goes by pretty fast.”

During those four days, Anderson said he completes about 16 carvings.

The John Deere tractor was number 14, he said.

He puts a lot of emphasis on the character of each piece.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Danny Thome looks on during motocross races at the Humboldt County Fair Sunday morning. Thome was in the schoolboy division.

“I take time to detail them, like the butterfly on the rabbit,” he said.

Anderson said each carving takes between one and three hours.

“The tractor will probably take the longest,” he said. “All the letters in Iowa State and things like that take a lot of time, too.”

Connie Jondle, also of Fort Dodge, does a majority of the painting, he said.

“The gal that paints these is a heck of an artist herself,” Anderson said.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Trey Hettich, No. 99, center, straps up his helmet in preparation for a motocross race at the Humboldt County Fair Sunday morning. Hettich was in the schoolboy division.

Anderson said he loves to take a look at his work after he’s done.

“I like seeing the finished product,” he said. “I try to put some movement in my carvings like with the fox and the rabbit. Sometimes I don’t want to get rid of them.”

Anderson said it’s nice when people recognize his work.

“‘Awesome work,’ they always say,” he said.

All of Anderson’s work is auctioned off during the last night of the fair. The proceeds go to support the Humboldt County Fair.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Nicholas Ashton, a rider in the beginner division, gets some air during motocross racing at the Humboldt County Fair Sunday morning.

While Anderson was was whittling away on his final projects, dozens of riders were gearing up for competition in motocross racing.

Kade Cervene, of Fort Dodge, was preparing to race along with his son, Kane Cervene, 5.

“It’s our first races ever,” Kade Cervene said. “I am doing it for him (Kane). He told me I had to race too.”

Kade Cervene said his son found his passion at the age of 2.

“I like the hills,” Kane Cervene said.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Avery Hettich, on the far right, kicks up some dirt as he and other riders in the supermini group take off during motocross races at the Humboldt County Fair Sunday morning.

Later, Kade Cervene provided an update.

“He wanted to give up, but he didn’t,” Kade Cervene said of his son.

“Are you gonna tear it up, bud?” he asked.

The races are also a family affair for Jamie Baker, of Emmetsburg.

“We do about 10 to 15 races a year,” Jamie Baker said.

His son, Jason Baker, 13, was in the beginners bracket.

“I just love running the track,” Jason Baker said.

They both enjoy the competition.

“That’s what makes it fun,” Jamie Baker said. “The hardest part is getting a good start. After that it gets easier.”

Maddy Waller, 14, of Armstrong, said she has been practicing since she was young.

“It was my fifth birthday and my dad bought me a four wheeler,” Waller said.

She has been honing her skills on the track ever since.

“It takes a lot of hard work to get here,” she said. “This is my actual first time racing.”

Waller said it takes a lot of endurance to compete.

“I practice every day at home,” she said. “It’s more than just practicing, you have to work out.”

Jadelin O’Neall, 7, of Algona, was busy watching his brother, Jagger, 13, compete.

He also enjoyed seeing the hang time.

“I like the jumps,” he said.

The Humboldt County Fair wrapped up Sunday night with the tough truck challenge.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Kane Cervene, 5, of Fort Dodge, at right, sits with his dad, Kade Cervene, left, prior to competing in the motocross races at the Humboldt County Fair Sunday morning.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Kade Cervene, of Fort Dodge, readies his son, Kane Cervene, 5, for his first motocross race at the Humboldt County Fair Sunday morning.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson David Seiler, 17, of Humboldt, catches some hang time during the motocross races at the Humboldt County Fair Sunday morning.