By Gary Mays

gmays@

themonroetimes.com

MONROE — That booming noise coming from the fairgrounds on Sept. 14 will be the roar of Green County Fall Nationals, as the popular event pulls into the Green County Fairgrounds for its 18th year.

And once again, organizers are promoting the family-friendly, end-of-summer pulling event — replete with music, food, plenty of powerful pulling action and more — to raise money for several needy causes and people in the county. 

Indeed, the pull each year has raised well over a half-million in donations to a long list of charities.

“It’s been a real blessing for lots of people and organizations over the years,” said JoAnn Hawthorn, who, along with her husband, Mark, helped organize the event and keeps it going, year after year. “It has really gotten bigger every year we have it.”

The Fall Nationals, the Hawthorns say, annually bring out some of the most talented and recognized names in the local and regional tractor and truck-pulling arena — and this year is no exception. They compete in multiple categories and come from neighboring towns and many other states, according to organizers. 

The classes for the 2024 competition include:

●  540 Light Pro

●  Super Farm

●  Diesel Super Stock Truck 

●  Pro Stock

●  Light Limited Super Stock

●  466 Hot Farm

●  4.1 Limited Pro

●  Two-wheel drive MOD Truck

Some of the competitors, in fact, are bringing more than 3,500 horsepower engines that run on a dirt track — surrounded by cheering spectators — that is more than 300 feet long.

Indeed, the non-profit behind the pull has provided more than a half a million in donations to needy people in this area everything from emergency food assistance to the provision of automatic defibrillator devices for area organizations to have on hand for emergency use. The group’s website also lists many other charities — from emergency gas money to temporary help following a house fire. 

In recent years, the pull has raised $5,000 for Faith Addiction of Green County (FAITH). And there have been more than seven $1,000 donations to area food pantries over the years, according to the group’s website. One of the biggest contributions made came back in 2009, with the delivery of 11,200 pounds of food to the new Green County Food Pantry — all thanks to the pull and its supporters and sponsors.

What’s more, cash donations also come in each year from around the country, Hawthorn said, mostly given by former Green County residents with fond memories of fall nationals and the good work it sustains. 

Since then, many thousands of more pounds of food have been donated to area pantries.

Hawthorn added that this year, money raised from the 2024 can coozie sales will go to help youth agriculture programs in local chapters; and at the fairgrounds, where youth show their animals every year. A 50-50 raffle also is a highlight of the event each year and a big fundraiser.

This year’s musical entertainment is the band Blue Steel, a well-known band based in Rockford that has been entertaining audiences with classic covers for many years.

The pull, according to Hawthorn, will be canceled in case of rain but fortunately, the event has only been rained-out one time in its nearly two-decade history.