GOLD HILL — As the green flag drops, Garden Tractor Pull contestants are officially off.
Those wishing to watch individuals compete in a tractor pull can do so on Oct. 17 and help local scouts as well. The competition will be held at 12770 Culp Road, Gold Hill beginning at 11 a.m. and continuing until the last pull.
Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children age five and older. As noted on the event flyer, the first 200 paying adults will receive a coupon for a free appetizer with purchase from Texas Roadhouse.
Concessions will be available during the event as Scouts of BSA 324, 4324 and Pack 324, which are sponsored by the Salisbury Civitans, will be running the stand with proceeds benefiting the local troops, said Scoutmaster Tony Fout.
He shared that they usually do hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, various chips and drinks, and last year they had sno cones for purchase as well.
In addition to the concessions, the gate fees will benefit the scouts as well.
Not familiar with tractor pulls as he is not from the area, Fout said that the event has been pretty informal the last several years they have been involved with it, adding that the scouts became involved with the tractor pull when they were looking for a fundraiser.
The troops have been able to host it, he said, and the association handles the competition, and “we do the logistics and promotion and all that kind of stuff.”
The Piedmont Garden Tractor Pullers serves as the organizer, said Leslie Kepley, who serves as committee chair and Fout noted she is also the council president.
He added that the association does the testing and has a series of rules to follow.
As noted on the event flier on Facebook, those interested in participating or sponsoring can contact Kepley at 704-798-0383.
Fout shared that he had talked with some participants who said they “travel different places in the tri-state area and even up and down the coast doing this” and the tractors can range from small tractors, some even being pulled by children to larger tractors, some similar to the monster truck size all pulling a weighted sled on a track as far as possible.
Fout reminded folks to bring their lawn chairs for the event, and as the poster said, “grab some snacks and show your support.”
