close

Youngsters compete in tractor pull at county fair

3 min read
1 / 2

Jaxon Richards, 4, of Amity, gives his best during the Pedal Power Tractor Pull at the 2015 Washington County Agricultural Fair Saturday.

2 / 2

Tyler Ligman, 5, of Amity, tries his hardest during the Pedal Power Tractor Pull at the 2015 Wahington County Agricultural Fair Saturday.

They began trickling in about 12:30 p.m., adding their names to the growing list of contestants. By 1 p.m., it was time to begin, as the roof of the Harry Hank Show Arena provided much-needed shade from the unrelenting sun.

One by one, they mounted their die-cast metal chariots, some in denim and cowboy boots, some in skirts and sandals, most with a determined look in their eye.

For many, this wasn’t their first rodeo. Jaxon Richards, 4, was practicing at his home in Amity since winter, pushing snow to strengthen his legs.

“Is it my turn yet?” he asked his mom anxiously before the competition began.

Wyatt Warner, 6, of Burgettstown, was a little more nonchalant, saying he liked the competition because, “It’s so fun.”


A few pedaled their way to glory. Most pedaled for a consolatory – but just-as-good – bag of candy.

Nearly 100 contestants ranging from 3 to 10 years old competed in the Pedal Power Tractor Pull Saturday as the annual Washington County Agricultural Fair rolled into town. Running through Aug. 22 at Washington County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Chartiers Township. The fair features the traditional 4-H animal showings, cooking contests, games, rides and a plethora of treats fairgoers have come to expect.

While the pedal-tractor pull is a fair staple, this is the first year in which the board joined forces with the West Alexander Fair and Washington County Ag Days to purchase two tractors and sleds and run their own competition. Previously, the board paid an outside vendor to run the show.

“It’s a learning experience,” said Chad McGowan, board member and emcee for the event.

Winners of the event were determined by the longest pull. A “full pull” covered 30 feet of track. Shorter runs were totaled by a measuring tape attached the back of the sled.

As contestants coerced their tractors forward, a weight in the sled shifted from the back to the front, increasing the weight and the difficulty of the pull.

As the crowd cheered, the riders used the only two tools at their disposal: keeping the wheel straight and pedaling as hard as they could. Many looked as though they could win by sheer determination alone.

“Push! Push!” McGowan yelled as he guided the children down the track. “Let’s go, bud! Pedal!”

Some stuck out their tongues as they pedaled. Some stared McGowan down as they inched toward him and some, their heads bent in concentration, seemed not to notice the chants at all.

Wyatt, by the way, won his age division. Jaxon, with an impressive pull of more than 25 feet, did not place, though the candy given to every contestant more than made up for the loss.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $3.75/week.

Subscribe Today