Teams in Iowa and Illinois are getting ready for the annual Tug of War competition on Saturday, August 9, 2014, that spans both sides of the Mississippi River.
Tug Fest started on Thursday, August 7, 2014. In 2013, Iowa snapped a seven year losing streak, by beating Illinois six to five.
Every year, crews put a 2,400 foot rope in the river between Port Byron and LeClaire. 11 teams from each city compete to see who can win six matches first. The winner gets to hold onto the Alabaster Eagle Trophy for a year. Currently, LeClaire has it on display at City Hall.
"Where are you going to ever see someone pulling a 700 lb. rope across the Mississippi River?" Tug Fest Vice President Sherry Zaruba Cassatt said. "That alone is something to come watch and see. Last year, it brought in people from Japan. It brought people in from all over the world."
The grand parade starts Friday at 6 p.m. in LeClaire. Fireworks are later at 9:30 p.m. on the river. The tug of war competition starts at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.