This year, the Norwalk Lions Club will host its 55th annual tractor pull, which is quite the feat considering several of the clubs original members never in their wildest dreams thought that a tractor pull could be such a success.
In the spring of 1967, the general fund balance of the Norwalk Lions Club was approximately $15. David Schreier, who was a new member to the club at that time, felt that the club needed to host a fundraiser.
As part of running his John Deere implement business with his brother Dick, Schreier had been attending several tractor pulls and suggested the club host its own tractor pull in Norwalk in an effort to raise funds.
“They decided to hold a Norwalk celebration. They wouldn’t even call it a tractor pull,” Schreier said. “At that time, tractor pulls weren’t what they are today. They were considered some backyard thing where two guys hooked their tractors together and they weren’t confident it would make money.”
During a regular monthly meeting in June of that year, the decision was made to hold a fundraiser and Schreier was appointed chairman of the “celebration” by the club’s then President Len Degenhardt. Schreier and the rest of the club members had less than two months to plan and put on a tractor pull.
“Three of the prominent businessmen left town that weekend because they thought it would be an embarrassment to be there,” Schreier recalled.
At a meeting on August 2, a list of work assignments was given to members and the first annual tractor pull was held on August 13, 1967. There were 97 tractors registered in four classes, ranging from 6,000 pounds to the heavyweight class, along with five garden tractors up to 12 hp and under 800 pounds.
“It was all farm tractors right from the field,” Schreier said. “There wasn’t any high-power stuff that was brought in from someplace.”
A pulling boat was rented from Manley Miller of Kendall, who had been putting on pulls in neighboring towns.
Prize money was paid for the three top places in each class; first place received $30, second place received $20 and third place received $10.
The day also included airplane rides, live music and numerous games and races for the children. Charcoal chicken and refreshments were available throughout the day with a total of 624 chicken dinners served.
Following the first tractor pull, the club’s treasury showed a balance of $2,029.95 in October of 1967. At the club’s January 1968 meeting, the decision was made to hold another tractor pull in Norwalk during the same weekend again the following year.
At the 1968 pull, attendance increased with 107 tractors registered for the pull. The excitement spread from the year prior’s success and by October of 1968, the general fund showed a growing balance of $5,519.88; the club grew by 12 new members and Schreier was named president of the Norwalk Lions Club for the 1968-69 year.
With the funds raised, club members began discussion about what projects needed to be addressed in the community. A park, park shelter and preservation of the old railroad depot were among the top priorities.
Plans for the park and park shelter moved ahead at an approximate cost of $10,000 and was the beginning of many improvements for the community that have been funded by the Norwalk Tractor Pull.
In 1969, it was decided to hold the tractor pull in conjunction with the Norwalk High School Alumni Reunion, the beginning of the tradition. The following years drew people together with former classmates they had not seen in years and the tradition continues to this day with the annual All-School Reunion.
By 1985, there were several classes registered for the Norwalk Tractor Pull, including garden tractors, farm tractors, antiques, pickup trucks and superstocks.
From 1967 to 2002, the pulls in Norwalk were held on a blacktop street by the park until a new dirt track was constructed along the Sparta-Elroy Bike Trail adjacent to the Village Park.
From the first blacktop pull in 1967 with the wooden pulling boat to the present-day dirt track and mechanical sled, the Norwalk Lions Annual Tractor Pull continues to make improvements and continues to be a success.
“In 55 years, we’ve never been rained out,” Schreier said.
Today, the tractor pull is a National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) Regional National sanctioned event. This year, seven classes will pull on Saturday, August 14 and 10 classes will pull on Sunday, August 15.
The event will kick off on Friday, August 13 with the opening of the beer garden and a fish fry at Village Park at 5 p.m. American Mini Pullers will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by a parade at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks at dusk.
K.Sterling and the 85 Silver Band will provide live music on Friday night from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
The All-School Reunion will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday followed by a Kid’s Pedal Pull in Village Park at 4 p.m. and the pulling action will begin at 6:30 p.m. Down East will provide live entertainment from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The ever popular charcoal chicken will begin being served at 11 a.m. on Sunday followed by more pulling action at 12:30 p.m. and duck races in Village Park at 1 p.m.
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