Opponents have enjoyable at vintage tractor pull at Schuylkill County Fair – Pottsville Republican Herald

SUMMIT STATION — Dozens of tractor homeowners from throughout the state hauled their rigs as much as the Schuylkill County Fair on Saturday to strive their hand on the vintage tractor pull, one of many greatest occasions of the honest’s remaining day.

Held on the Agricultural Museum observe, the occasion noticed tractors of all makes and sizes maneuver their approach up a dust path with a 2,400-pound sled hitched within the again.

Drivers competed in about 18 weight-based courses all through the day to see who might pull their tractor the farthest.

The occasion drew a number of tractor pull lovers who had competed within the occasion earlier than.

One puller from Hamburg mentioned he’s competed within the Schuylkill County Fair at the least 30 occasions.

“Every track is different,” he mentioned, “You gotta keep your eyes open and watch. Sometimes it takes more weight in front, sometimes in back.”

Kevin Berger, superintendent of the vintage tractor pulls, mentioned there are normally about 100 to 150 hooks (journeys up the observe) held at every occasion. A longstanding custom, the occasion attracts opponents from across the area and even from New Jersey, New York and different states, he mentioned.

First-place winners in every class obtain a trophy, whereas second and third place are awarded ribbons, Berger mentioned.

Berger mentioned the load courses vary from 3,000 to 10,500 kilos.

Kenneth Leed, 48, of Lititz, competed within the pull alongside a few of his members of the family. The household introduced just a few of their Oliver tractors, together with Super 77, 880 and 990 fashions.

Leed, who’s earned a number of first-place finishes on the honest, described his strategy to pulling.

“Watch the track, make sure you have your tractor weighted right,” he mentioned, “and hope for the best.”

Leed mentioned it’s enjoyable to take part within the pull and meet new folks.

“Camaraderie is really what it’s all about,” he mentioned.

Another puller, 73-year-old Jay Livengood of Manheim, used his crimson Allis-Chalmers WD45, competing within the 4,500-pound division.

Livengood mentioned he’s been competing within the Schuylkill County Fair’s pull for round 10 years and has received “plenty of first places.” He competes in about 10 completely different tractor pull occasions every year.

Saturday, billed as Schuylkill County Day on the honest, featured a number of massive occasions akin to a livestock judging, line-dancing actions, a tractor parade and two “Classic Skynyrd Live” concert events carried out by Southern Steel.

Originally Published: August 2, 2025 at 2:34 PM EDT