BETHLEHEM — Every year, the Bethlehem Fair brings in lots of attendants, rain or shine. But with this rainy summer, the tractor pulls were greatly affected by the rain.
On Sept. 10, lots of viewers of the Bethlehem Fair’s tractor pull were disappointed by the sudden downpour of rain on the show. It was no surprise since this summer and early fall have shown to be very wet compared to the past few years.
Nonnewaug senior Devon Zapatka had a different opinion on the rain than other people.
“I think it will affect the popularity amongst the pullers than the attendees,” Zapatka said, referring to the fact that pullers dislike wet conditions.
The Bethlehem Fair’s tractor pull is a competition among antique tractors “to see how much dead weight they can pull,” said Zapatka. “Whoever pulls the most weight usually just earns a ribbon.”
Nonnewaug senior Adam Landry, who competes in the pulls, sees a pattern among the usual pool of winners.
“It seems all Farmalls win: M’s, 350s, 400s,” Landry said, referring to the different sizes of the popular tractor.
However, other people might have other opinions on that considering there are different types of pulls. In some events, like the stone boat, tractors pull dead weight, whereas in the transfer sled, tractors have to pull an apparatus that varies its weight.
“The John Deeres do pretty good on the track,” said Zapatka, “[but] just the stone boat, because its dead weight, unlike the transfer sled.”
The event appeals to people for different reasons.
“I like watching my friends and family pull at the garden tractor and full-size classes,” Zapatka added. “It’s fun to see people’s tempers flare.”
“I like doing the work on the tractors,” said Landry. “I also like the thrill of being out on the track.”
