MidSouth Firewood Expo Brings Vendors to Decatur County Fairgrounds in Parsons

Twin Rivers Wood Product brought the commercial firewood industry to Parsons last weekend, hosting the MidSouth Firewood Expo at the Decatur County Fairgrounds on March 13 and 14.

The two-day event at 1925 US-641 drew a lineup of speakers and exhibitors focused on commercial firewood processing and equipment. Vendors included Blockbuster, Cord King, Hammer Head and Splitforce, along with additional exhibitors. Attendees could visit each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The expo extended beyond the daytime hours with a live concert on the first evening, running from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Marlin Petre, organizer for the MidSouth Firewood Expo, described the spirit behind bringing the event to Decatur County. "That's what the Firewood community's about. It's a tightknit community and we like to have fun while we do it," Petre said.

The Decatur County Fairgrounds served as the gathering point for an industry that, while niche, draws participants from across the region. The combination of trade floor activity during the day and a concert in the evening reflected the dual purpose Petre described: serious business conducted among people who take pride in the culture around their work.