The annual Quyon Truck and Tractor Pull roared to life on Saturday, drawing crowds from near and far to witness the show.
Held at the Quyon community grounds, the event combined the thrill of competition with the warmth of community spirit, showcasing the power of modified trucks and tractors in a friendly yet fierce contest.
“This used to be the biggest event in the area,” said organizer Kerry-Lynn O’Connell of the Quyon Tractor and Truck Pull Association. “We just wanted to bring it back to this amazing community.”
The heart of the event is the tractor pull itself, where participants hook their vehicles to a weighted sled and pull it down the track. The further they go, the heavier the sled becomes, testing the power and endurance of both machine and driver.
“So boys and their toys, they build modified trucks and tractors. There’s some street . . .
trucks and diesel and gas. And basically they hook up to the sled and pull it down the track to see who goes the furthest,” O’Connell said.
Despite the heavy downpour on Saturday afternoon, the crowd came in droves, prepared with canopies for shelter as they watched the tractors tackle the dirt course. The rain quickly transformed the track into a muddy challenge, with mud flying in all directions as the powerful tractors torqued through.
The pull saw nine divisions of gas and diesel trucks and tractors go head-to-head to see who could pull the weighted sled the farthest.
Founded in the late ‘80s and revived in 2016 after a hiatus, the Quyon Truck and Tractor Pull has quickly reestablished itself as an important event for the town.
Brent Emmerson, a retired fireman who has volunteered for the truck pull for decades, highlighted the significant role played by the 100 or so volunteers who contributed to the success of the event. “It’s a great thing for the area,” Emmerson said. “We give all the money raised to charity.”
According to Emmerson, the pull attracts around 2,000 attendees each year, and explained the event provides a boost to the local economy, providing a wave of newcomers to explore the shops and restaurants in the area.
“I think we’re about 1,800 people,” Emmerson said. “It’s perfect [ . . . ] We’ve got people here from Toronto too.”
In addition to the main event, the day featured various activities to entertain attendees of all ages. Inflatables for children, food, and a variety of vendors ensured there was something for everyone.
