UPTOWN — Thirty of the best tree climbers will scale the timber in Uptown hoping to prove themselves as the best climber in the state this weekend.
From 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, the Illinois Arborist Association's annual tree climbing competition will take over Lincoln Park at Lawrence Avenue and North Simonds Drive, according to a press release for the event.
The competition features five preliminary events, which test the climbers' "ability to quickly, professionally and safely maneuver in a tree while performing work-related tree-care tasks," the release said.
The top three finishers will compete in the Masters' Challenge to decide the Illinois Chapter Champion, who will represent the state at the International Tree Climbing Championships in July, the release said.
The event, which was created by the International Society of Arboriculture, has been held throughout the state since 1984. It was designed to simulate the working conditions of arborists in the field and provides a competitive learning environment for those in the industry, the release said.
The free event is open to the public and also features a kids climb and food, the release said.
