If You Go
The Second Annual Green County Fall Nationals Tractor and Truck Pull will be Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Green County Fairgrounds in Monroe. Seven classes with more than five hours of family fun starts at 5 p.m.; gates open at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door; children 12 and under are free. Food will be provided by the Green County Beef Producers, Lions Club and Boy Scouts. More information can be found at wwwgreencountyfallnationals.com.
MONROE - When Mark Hawthorn, Monticello, saw the response to the tractor pull competitions he put together for the 2007 Farm Technology Days in Albany, he got a little worried.
The event was supposed to be a one-time deal, but when the announcer asked the crowd if they'd like to see another one next year, Hawthorn saw hands going up all over.
"I said, 'Oh, boy, now what are we going to do?'" Hawthorn recalled.
And then there was the question of what to do with the $5,000 proceeds from the event.
"We didn't want people thinking we just pocketed the money," he said.
The idea of contributing the profits to needy individuals in the county came to Hawthorn. That's when got in touch with a woman who needed a heart transplant. He contributed $1,000 through the Albany Lion's Club benefit for her.
Then there was a local man who was hit by a car and seriously injured. Hawthorn contributed money to a Pecatonica, Ill., man who was paralyzed after falling off a 20-foot ladder. More money went to Green County EMS.
"After all the planning of the event and after all the pullers have gone home, the greatest part was handing over a check to someone who is going through a tough time," Hawthorn said.
The satisfaction of making the contributions, plus the thrill of watching people enjoy the tractor pulls, were enough for Hawthorn to organize The Second Annual Green County Fall Nationals.
"I've been pulling for 20 years, and I do it because I love it," Hawthorn said. "But I get more excited about seeing the hobby that I enjoy benefiting families in the area. It makes all the hard work and sweat worth every second."
The Green County Fall Nationals (GCFN) is a charitable organization, providing financial support to individuals in Green County. As a non-profit organization, the GCFN's mission is to provide financial assistance to people who have been hit with financial hardships from health issues or tragedy.
Hawthorn and his father, Larry, who takes care of the tracks, make final decisions on contributions. The money can be directed to any spot, but all of the money is donated through local non-profit organizations.
A new goal this year is to establish high school scholarships for each school in the county, as well.
"I put that on mom's (JoAnn) shoulders," he said. "She's a school teacher."
The Green County Fall Nationals 2008 will prove to be an exciting show.
Truck and tractor pullers in 2007 came from eight states. Hawthorn expects the same wide participation this year, with some of the most talented and recognized names in the local tractor and truck pulling arena from the tri-state area and from as far away as Kansas will be a part of the show.
"It's the last pull of the Badger State Tractor Pullers (BSTP) sanctioned events for 2008," Hawthorn said. "Some of the classes haven't yet determined their points champions for the year, so a few guys will be pulling their hearts out for the champion title."
And after the show, and after all the pullers go home?
"You know, the most important thing about this event to me has been about bringing the community together," Hawthorn said.
The event was supposed to be a one-time deal, but when the announcer asked the crowd if they'd like to see another one next year, Hawthorn saw hands going up all over.
"I said, 'Oh, boy, now what are we going to do?'" Hawthorn recalled.
And then there was the question of what to do with the $5,000 proceeds from the event.
"We didn't want people thinking we just pocketed the money," he said.
The idea of contributing the profits to needy individuals in the county came to Hawthorn. That's when got in touch with a woman who needed a heart transplant. He contributed $1,000 through the Albany Lion's Club benefit for her.
Then there was a local man who was hit by a car and seriously injured. Hawthorn contributed money to a Pecatonica, Ill., man who was paralyzed after falling off a 20-foot ladder. More money went to Green County EMS.
"After all the planning of the event and after all the pullers have gone home, the greatest part was handing over a check to someone who is going through a tough time," Hawthorn said.
The satisfaction of making the contributions, plus the thrill of watching people enjoy the tractor pulls, were enough for Hawthorn to organize The Second Annual Green County Fall Nationals.
"I've been pulling for 20 years, and I do it because I love it," Hawthorn said. "But I get more excited about seeing the hobby that I enjoy benefiting families in the area. It makes all the hard work and sweat worth every second."
The Green County Fall Nationals (GCFN) is a charitable organization, providing financial support to individuals in Green County. As a non-profit organization, the GCFN's mission is to provide financial assistance to people who have been hit with financial hardships from health issues or tragedy.
Hawthorn and his father, Larry, who takes care of the tracks, make final decisions on contributions. The money can be directed to any spot, but all of the money is donated through local non-profit organizations.
A new goal this year is to establish high school scholarships for each school in the county, as well.
"I put that on mom's (JoAnn) shoulders," he said. "She's a school teacher."
The Green County Fall Nationals 2008 will prove to be an exciting show.
Truck and tractor pullers in 2007 came from eight states. Hawthorn expects the same wide participation this year, with some of the most talented and recognized names in the local tractor and truck pulling arena from the tri-state area and from as far away as Kansas will be a part of the show.
"It's the last pull of the Badger State Tractor Pullers (BSTP) sanctioned events for 2008," Hawthorn said. "Some of the classes haven't yet determined their points champions for the year, so a few guys will be pulling their hearts out for the champion title."
And after the show, and after all the pullers go home?
"You know, the most important thing about this event to me has been about bringing the community together," Hawthorn said.