Numerous tractors pull Saturday

By ROBBY LUCKE
Staff

The weather was cooperative — the first weekend without rain in a while — yet attendance was relatively light at the 11th annual Antique Tractor Pull and Engine Show last Saturday at the Alleghany County (Carlisle Higgins Agricultural) Fairgrounds. And while one couldn't say the event came off "without a hitch," participation was widespread and an audience of all ages from near and far seemed to enjoy the outing.

"The tractor pull went better than it went for several years, because we didn't have rain. That was good," said Walter Lee Hampton, who is president of the Alleghany County Antique Farm Equipment Club, which held the event.

A driver tries to stretch out a few more inches worth of pulling from his John Deere during the 7,200-pound division competition. Weather proves nice for small crowd

The Brown family from State Road checks out some Model T Fords and farm equipment during the engine show. Pictured are David Brown (standing, center), his wife Ginger, their sons Joshua (left, wearing red cap) and D.J. and David's father George.

On the other hand, he added, "The track wasn't very good. There was too much rain lately. The little tractors wouldn't move in that soil." About 75 to 80 tractors participated in the pull. Most pulled twice, for a total of about 140 hooks. "Actually we had too many tractors; the show lasted too long. But if they show up, you've got to let them pull," Hampton said.

He and Ben Bottomley were the only two local participants in the pull. Some drivers were from east of Raleigh; others came from as far away as Mount Olive, S.C. "They come from all over the place," Hampton said. "They like to come up here because of the cool weather."

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