Kids participate in Pedal Tractor Pull

To what seemed like nonstop cheering, audience members clapped, yelled and offered tips as young children participated in the Pedal Tractor Pull.

“Pedal hard,” “Keep pedaling” and “Don’t look back” are just some of the phrases the kids heard while pedaling.

With grinding teeth and determined eyes, the children pulled a tractor filled with weights.

“There were a couple people leery of getting on the tractor,” said Herman Young, organizer of the Pedal Tractor Pull. “One was crying last night because he didn’t win. But if you don’t win a trophy in that class, you can keep coming back each night for a different class.”

The Pedal Tractor Pull has been going on for the duration of the Monroe County Fair, but more of the events will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, while the Champion Pedal Tractor Pulls will occur at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Many of the kids will be coming back for more of the strenuous activity. And even with all the pressure, the kids still enjoyed it. Kaitlyn Reece, 5, participated in a tractor pull event for a second year in a row.

“It was fun,” Reece said. “I won a trophy.”

And Ashley Barnhill, 9, takes the event seriously.

“I ride bikes a lot and we have a Hot Wheels, and we practice in that,” Barnhill said.
After Tuesday’s Pedal Tractor Pull, the kids were worn out and wanted to treat themselves to some fair food.

Barnhill wanted to eat chocolate swirl ice cream, while Reece wanted to eat “pepperonis and Push-Ups.”

— Alyssa Goldman