A brand new event is set to occur at this year’s Gays Mills Spring Festival on Mother’s Day weekend.
An antique tractor pull, sponsored by Old Iron Revival, will be held on Saturday, May 12 on North Gay Street. The entry fee is $15 with weigh-in beginning at 9 a.m., pulling at 11 a.m.
Pulling classes start at 3,600 pounds and range up to 8,100 pounds. Tractors must be from 1958 or before to compete.
“There are no pay backs,” says co-organizer Jim Wedeberg. “We’ll pay our expenses and then whatever’s left, the profits, will be donated to one of the local service organizations.
“Wendell (Showen) and I have been talking about doing something downtown for quite awhile,” said Wedeberg. “We wanted something that would bring people to the businesses but wouldn’t interfere with the music festival. We finally decided to do it.”
As the first antique tractor pull of the season, Wedeberg is hoping for a good turnout from local enthusiasts.
Unlike many other local pulls, this is a blacktop event. It uses an Eliminator sledge, which is a custom built, self-propelled weight transfer sled for use on smooth flat surfaces. This particular Eliminator is rented from area resident Dave Butler.
“All you need is a good flat street,” Wedeberg said. “This will be held right between the old Amoco and the old Rescue Squad building just off Main Street. Bring your lawn chairs and sit and enjoy the pull!”