LOWVILLE — Not one, but two tractor pulls brought crowds to the grandstand Thursday at the Lewis County Fair.
The bleachers may have been filled for the evening's New York State Truck and Tractor Pull, but it was the afternoon's garden tractor pull that brought local tractor-pull enthusiasts and contestants.
"It's a great family sport, from 5 years old to over 70," said J. Tina Snyder, secretary for the Central New York Garden Tractor Pulling Club. The club hosts about 20 pulls each year, including Wednesday's garden tractor pull at the Jefferson County Fair.
Ms. Snyder came to the Lewis County fair from Victory in Cayuga County with son Scott, 12. This is his third year driving in garden tractor pulls. On Thursday, he took first place in the 12.5-horsepower stock pull. His "Tract-O-Matic" pulled the sled a distance of 221.06 feet.
The garden tractor pulls included six classes depending on modifications to these former riding lawn mowers. A sled weighing up to 6,000 pounds is attached to each tractor and the one that pulls the weight the farthest wins in its class.
Some of the tractors are off-the-lawn models with only minor modifications. On the other end of the spectrum, some tractors, like the one driven by April L. Micek, Carthage, have eight-cylinder engines.
Mrs. Micek placed first in the Hydro V8 class with a distance of 226.3 feet. She started driving in the garden tractor pulls three years ago, inspired to join by her husband, Lance D., who built the tractor she drove Thursday.
"It's something we enjoy doing together," Mrs. Micek said.
Mr. Micek also influenced Marshall D. Eves, Carthage, to participate in the garden tractor pulls.
"This is the first time he ever pulled," said Mr. Eves's mother, Cindy L. Eves, Rutland. "We always went to see Lance pull. He's the one that got Marshall into it."
Mr. Eves drove Thunderstruck, a 1985 Craftsman mower, and placed third in the 8-horsepower stock pull.
The winner of that pull, Cody Bellinger, 17, son of Connie M. and Allan R. Bellinger, Adams, found his tractor in a junk pile Tuesday. His uncle, Steven Castor, Lorraine, helped him get the discarded 1968 Cub Cadet tractor in working order for the tractor pulls.
It might have looked modest in comparison to the modified engines, but the tractor pulled through for Mr. Bellinger with a top distance of 198.05 feet. It was only Mr. Bellinger's second competition.
His grandmother, Betty Castor, Adams, watched proudly from the sidelines. She was happy enough to see her grandson enjoying the tractor pull, and watching as he left his competitors in the dust was an unexpected perk.
"There's a lot of young kids that it could really help out," Mrs. Castor said. "It gives them something to do other than play video games."
There were about 30 entrants at the New York State Truck and Tractor Pull that began at 7 p.m. They were from all over New York and parts of Canada and New England, said Keith E. Woodbeck, director of operations for the New York Tractor Pullers Association.
This tractor pull included everything from two-wheel-drive trucks to modified farm tractors that weigh up to 9,000 pounds.
"We have one of the best tracks around. Everybody just raves about it," said Larry C. Bush, fair director and track supervisor. "It's just an awesome show. We always pack the grandstand."
The fair continues today with Children's Day. Wristbands will be available for $18 and will provide unlimited rides from noon to 6 p.m. The "North Country Idol" winner will perform at the grandstand at 7:15 p.m., followed by Jake Owen at 8 p.m.
Admission to the fair is free and parking is available on the fairgrounds for $3 per day.
