LECLAIRE, Iowa — This weekend, 11 teams from Port Byron, Illinois and LeClaire, Iowa will compete to see who can tug the hardest.
The 30th Annual Tug Fest goes all weekend with live music, parades and carnival rides. Saturday, Aug. 13, a 680-pound rope will stretch 2,400 feet across the Mississippi River. Then, competitors will have three minutes to see who can pull the most rope.
Organizers say while the event is all in good fun, it also gives back.
"In the four years I've been here, Tug Fest has raised over $80,000. That's to police departments, fire departments. Tug Fest gives back to the community, that's what it's all about," said Bary Long, Tug Fest secretary.
Right now, Illinois leads Iowa in the competition 18 to 11.
The celebration began in LeClaire on Thursday evening with carnival games, music and the traditional bingo. The tug competitions will start at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, followed by an arm wrestling competition. CLICK HERE for a calender of events for LeClaire Tug Fest.
Celebrations began Thursday for Port Byron as well, with a queen pageant and kids bike parade. CLICK HERE for a calendar of events for Port Byron Tug Fest.