By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
LITTLE VALLEY — The 181st Cattaraugus County Fair got underway Saturday under sunny skies and good crowds.
The north end of the infield was taken over Saturday morning by the Antique Tractor Pull, which pits the owners of older tractors against each other for bragging rights on whose tractor pulled the heaviest load of sand the farthest.
Tons of sand are piled onto a sled as tractors in each weight class take turns pulling it. The tractors that pull the length of the chain compete for trophies in each class.
Each driver backed up to the sled and a tow chain was hooked to their tractor. With their feet on the clutch and brake, they played the hand throttle for traction. Most tractors had steel plates weighing hundreds of pounds each hooked at strategic points for the best traction.
As the loads got heavier, some tractors’ front wheels would lift off the ground. Some drivers shifted in their seat as the tractor bucked like a bronco before their forward motion stopped.
When it looked like the last pull in the class was coming up, four burley volunteers would step onto the sand sled for added weight.
Some of the antique tractors included John Deere, Allis-Chalmers, Farmall, Ford, Minneapolis-Moline and Cockshutt. Some of the tractors had been restored and others looked like they had been used on the farm earlier in the day.
Saturday’s grandstand entertainment was the Big Rig Truck Pull including semis, street legal semis and 4×4 gas and diesel pickups.
The Academy Horse Show was held in the horse ring Saturday morning and the 4-H Gaming Horse Show was held in the afternoon. The Open Beef Show and Parade of Animals was also held on opening day.
Sunday was another sunny day with good crowds. The day started with three 4-H horse shows: Costume Class, Mini Horse and Driving Horser. There were 4-H Mounted Games in the afternoon. Broken B Rodeo with bull riding, barrel racing and bronc riding competition was the evening’s grandstand show.
Monday is Children’s Day, with youth age 15 and younger admitted for $8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The midway opens daily at 1 p.m.
There is a 4-H English Horse Show at 9 a.m. Monday, followed at 10 a.m. by 4-H and FFA judging competition, a goat show at 1 p.m. and the demolition derby at 7 p.m.’
Tuesday is Senior Day, with people age 62 and older are admitted for $8 all day. There’s a 4-H Western/Ranch Horse Show at 9 a.m., along with a Junior Department Dairy Show at the same time. The Tyler Hubbard Concert starts at 7:30 p.m. in front of the grandstand.
On Wednesday, the Cooper Alan Concert starts at 7:30 p.m,. in front of the grandstand.
The pay-one-price of $15 includes parking, midway rides and free grounds entertainment.
For a schedule and more information go online to cattarauguscofair.com.
