MONROE - Spinning wheels and black clouds of smoke captivated fans at the Badger State Tractor Pull at the Green County Fair Thursday night.
The new feature that required fans to pay $5 for admission to the tractor pull, didn't deter some die hard supporters. Mary Krebs didn't mind paying $5 to see her nephew, John Anderson, of Monticello pull in the Light Limited Super Stock class.
"Anytime you want to have quality entertainment you are going to have to pay for it," Krebs said. "We went to the movies the other night and we had to pay $5. Your big time events cost money and they have to make it up somewhere. Eventually, they will have to pay for the rodeo and some of the other ones."
Krebs said she enjoys the noise and the smoke of the tractor pull.
"Once they play the National Anthem, we enjoy the good old fashion family fun."
Steve Digman, superintendent of the amphitheater at the Green County Fair, said the grandstand was three-fourths full and the bleachers were packed.
"I don't think the $5 (admission) hurt us too bad," Digman said. "I think our assigned seating hurt us more. We have to make some money somehow."
Sam Kaderly, the president of the Green County Fair Board, in a guest editorial earlier this month, said the budget for the fair is about $240,000. Kaderly said that $72,000 is being spent for grandstand shows this year.
"The fair cannot continue to provide high-quality entertainment without recouping some of the cost," he wrote. "It costs us $13,000 to $14,000, depending on classes, to put on the tractor pull, unlike Fall Nationals, where the only income we get is from ground rental. This year their the rent was raised, only to get it at the rate that everyone else pays for renting the grounds."
Digman said he's not sure on the final numbers, but he said there are several factors including the economy that could effect the turnout.
On the track, about a dozen local tractor pullers turned in solid performances. Bill Smith, of Darlington, won the 640 Pro Farm with a pull of 307 feet, 36 inches and Monroe's Scott Olson took fourth (301.86). Smith was excited with his finish after struggling last week with a home track advantage at the Lafayette County Fair.
"After finishing in the middle of the pack in my hometown fair, it feels good to come to Monroe and win," Smith said.
Smith has been involved in tractor pulling for 25 years. He named his tractor, "High Maintenance."
"Old girlfriends and tractors are high maintenance," Smith said. "It's really nice to have my family and friends here to see it."
Olson is in his fourth season of pulling and he takes pride in the competition and fundraising activities of the Badger State Pullers.
"I like the competition part that keeps you geared in to always driving yourself to get better," Olson said. "You always have to think what you can do to make your tractor better."
Craig Whitaker of Monroe won the Hot Farm class (309.842). Lee Ruf of Darlington was second (308.834) and Darlington's Tony McDonald was third (307.9).
The other winners were Sauk City's mark Wyttenbach in the Light Limited Stock and Black Earth's Brian Barman in the Super Farm class.
John Anderson, of Monticello, was third in the Light Limited Super Stock (283.188).
Troy Bader of Monroe finished fourth in the Pro Stock and Randy Bader was seventh.
Olson said the fundraising aspect of the Badger State Tractor Pullers often goes unnoticed. Badger State donates money to St. Jude each year. According to Badger State's web site, the organization donated $29,000 to St. Jude in 2010 after a charity pull and raffle in Sauk City.
Kevin Benson, of New Glarus, brought his wife and two children - Kyler and Kyton Benson to the tractor pull. "It's a custom, tradition and family thing to do," he said.
Benson has given up pulling, but remains a fan.
"I just don't have the money to do it anymore," Benson said. "If I did, I would still be doing it. It's an expensive hobby."
The new feature that required fans to pay $5 for admission to the tractor pull, didn't deter some die hard supporters. Mary Krebs didn't mind paying $5 to see her nephew, John Anderson, of Monticello pull in the Light Limited Super Stock class.
"Anytime you want to have quality entertainment you are going to have to pay for it," Krebs said. "We went to the movies the other night and we had to pay $5. Your big time events cost money and they have to make it up somewhere. Eventually, they will have to pay for the rodeo and some of the other ones."
Krebs said she enjoys the noise and the smoke of the tractor pull.
"Once they play the National Anthem, we enjoy the good old fashion family fun."
Steve Digman, superintendent of the amphitheater at the Green County Fair, said the grandstand was three-fourths full and the bleachers were packed.
"I don't think the $5 (admission) hurt us too bad," Digman said. "I think our assigned seating hurt us more. We have to make some money somehow."
Sam Kaderly, the president of the Green County Fair Board, in a guest editorial earlier this month, said the budget for the fair is about $240,000. Kaderly said that $72,000 is being spent for grandstand shows this year.
"The fair cannot continue to provide high-quality entertainment without recouping some of the cost," he wrote. "It costs us $13,000 to $14,000, depending on classes, to put on the tractor pull, unlike Fall Nationals, where the only income we get is from ground rental. This year their the rent was raised, only to get it at the rate that everyone else pays for renting the grounds."
Digman said he's not sure on the final numbers, but he said there are several factors including the economy that could effect the turnout.
On the track, about a dozen local tractor pullers turned in solid performances. Bill Smith, of Darlington, won the 640 Pro Farm with a pull of 307 feet, 36 inches and Monroe's Scott Olson took fourth (301.86). Smith was excited with his finish after struggling last week with a home track advantage at the Lafayette County Fair.
"After finishing in the middle of the pack in my hometown fair, it feels good to come to Monroe and win," Smith said.
Smith has been involved in tractor pulling for 25 years. He named his tractor, "High Maintenance."
"Old girlfriends and tractors are high maintenance," Smith said. "It's really nice to have my family and friends here to see it."
Olson is in his fourth season of pulling and he takes pride in the competition and fundraising activities of the Badger State Pullers.
"I like the competition part that keeps you geared in to always driving yourself to get better," Olson said. "You always have to think what you can do to make your tractor better."
Craig Whitaker of Monroe won the Hot Farm class (309.842). Lee Ruf of Darlington was second (308.834) and Darlington's Tony McDonald was third (307.9).
The other winners were Sauk City's mark Wyttenbach in the Light Limited Stock and Black Earth's Brian Barman in the Super Farm class.
John Anderson, of Monticello, was third in the Light Limited Super Stock (283.188).
Troy Bader of Monroe finished fourth in the Pro Stock and Randy Bader was seventh.
Olson said the fundraising aspect of the Badger State Tractor Pullers often goes unnoticed. Badger State donates money to St. Jude each year. According to Badger State's web site, the organization donated $29,000 to St. Jude in 2010 after a charity pull and raffle in Sauk City.
Kevin Benson, of New Glarus, brought his wife and two children - Kyler and Kyton Benson to the tractor pull. "It's a custom, tradition and family thing to do," he said.
Benson has given up pulling, but remains a fan.
"I just don't have the money to do it anymore," Benson said. "If I did, I would still be doing it. It's an expensive hobby."
