PORT BYRON, Ill. — The 37th annual Tug Fest has come and gone, bringing tons of people to the Mississippi Riverfront for a tug-of-war competition unlike any other. It was Port Byron that would pull in the win for Illinois and gain bragging rights for the next year.
A total of 24 teams (12 in Iowa, 12 in Illinois) competed this year. The state with the most winning teams wins the overall competition. Port Byron ended up beating LeClaire 10-2.
Despite the loss, Iowa participants said they were proud to represent the Hawkeye State.
"Unfortunately, the river has been a pain for us this year, especially without the barge that we had last year, which made it a lot easier for us," tugger Nathan Kuberski said. "But overall, I mean, the outcome wasn't what we were expecting, but I think the team is happy about it. But yeah, we're just looking forward to next year and figuring out all the challenges that come with running a team."
All proceeds from this year's event will go towards next year's Tug Fest. Leftover funds are donated to local community organizations.
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A longtime Quad Cities tradition returns to the Mississippi Riverfront this weekend.
Port Byron in Illinois and LeClaire across the river in Iowa will be hosting the 37th Annual Tugfest, with festivities starting Aug. 8 and lasting through Aug. 10.
The bi-state tug-of-war competition dates back to 1987. Organizers say it's the only tug-of-war event between two states in the country.
11 20-person teams on each side of the river, representing Iowa and Illinois, will pull a 2,700-foot and 680-pound rope spanning across the mighty Mississippi. Whichever team pulls in the most feet of rope in three minutes wins. The town with the most winning teams wins the Alabaster Eagle trophy and bragging rights for the following year.
The Tug itself takes place on Saturday, Aug. 10 from noon to 3 p.m. But Tugfest is a three-day event with all kinds of family-friendly activities. Here's a breakdown of what's happening on both sides of the river.
LeClaire, Iowa
This year's theme over in Iowa is "Stars and Stripes - A Salute to America" and the Tug-for-a-Cause beneficiary will be Hiney Heros of the Quad Cities.
All the action will take place at 229 N. Cody Rd. near the LeClaire Boat Ramp. A carnival and vendors will set up shop on Thursday and Friday evenings, and all day on Saturday. Free parking and shuttle service to the event is available at Comfort Inn, Super 8 and Holiday Inn Express.
Daily admission for either Friday or Saturday is $8 with admission for both days priced at $12. Kids 12 and under get in for free.
Thursday, Aug. 8: Family Night with free admission
- 5:30 p.m.: Carnival, vendors and beverage tent open
- 5:30 to 10 p.m.: Bingo at the south end of the levee
- 5:30 to 8 p.m.: Parade packet pick up at the beverage tent
- 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Carnival Wristband Night - $30 for all the rides you can ride
- 6 p.m.: Bags Tournament at the north end of the levee
- 7 p.m.: Live music – Press Record
- 11 p.m.: Festivities close for the day
Friday, Aug. 9: Parade and fireworks night
- 4:30 p.m.: Parade lineup at LeClaire Fire Station
- 5 p.m.: Community Tailgate Party at the LeClaire Baptist Church parking lot
- 6 p.m.: Grand Parade starts
- 6 p.m.: Carnival, vendors and beverage tent open
- 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Bingo at the south end of the levee
- 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: VIP Sponsor Party at the north end of the levee
- 8:30 p.m.: Live music – Dirt Road Rockers
- 9:30 p.m.: Fireworks show
- Midnight: Festivities close for the day
Saturday, Aug. 10: The Tug
- 7 a.m.: Community breakfast at Civic Club
- 8 a.m.: Tugger registration at Civic Club
- 10 a.m.: Kid’s Tug
- Sign-up begins at 9:30 a.m. at the north end of the levee
- 11:00 a.m.: Vendors and beverage tent open
- Noon to 10:30 p.m.: Bingo at the south end of the levee
- Noon to 3 p.m.: THE TUG
- Tug Pit is located on the north end of the levee
- 6 p.m.: Live Music – Made Ya Look
- 7 p.m.: Live Music – 7 Ark
- 9 p.m.: Live Music – Soul Storm
- Midnight: Festivities end
More information on Tugfest in LeClaire can be found here.
Port Byron, Illinois
The fun isn't just in Iowa. Port Byron across the river also has a stacked lineup, including carnival rides, food trucks, pageant shows, a pet contest and more.
All the festivities will be on Main Street. Parking is available at Dorrance Park and Port Byron Methodist Church, with shuttle services available Friday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Saturday from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Handicap parking is located at the Black Hawk Bank's lower lot.
Admission is free on Thursday night and then is $5 per person per day on Friday and Saturday. Kids 12 years old and under get in for free. Carnival wristbands are $30 on Thursday and $35 on Friday and Saturday.
People can also vote all weekend in the Cutest Pet Photo Contest. The 10 finalists have already been chosen on Facebook. Canisters featuring a photo and name will be lined up at Tugfest. People can vote for their favorite by placing money in the respective container. The top three pets will receive gift baskets filled with pet care items donated by local businesses.
Thursday, Aug. 8: Family Night with free admission
- 5 p.m.: Vendors, crafters and food trucks open
- 5 p.m.: Cutest Pet Contest voting begins
- 5 to 10 p.m.: Kid Owned Business
- Catch kid-operated businesses in the vendor area
- 5to 6:15 p.m.: Eva Music
- 6 to 10 p.m.: Carnival Wristband Night
- 6 to 8 p.m: David Casas Magic Show
- 6 to 7:30 p.m.: Little Prince and Little Princess Pageant
- 6:30 to 7 p.m.: Prince/Princess Pageant
Friday, Aug. 9
- 4 p.m.: Vendors, crafters and food trucks open
- 4 to 5 p.m.: Sign up for Quad Cities Karaoke Championship - Final Qualifier
- 5 to 9 p.m.: Quad Cities Karaoke Championship - Final Qualifier
- 5 p.m: Harley Hill on Cherry Street
- 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.: Carnival
- 9:30 p.m.: Fireworks show
- Following fireworks until midnight: Live music - JACK’d
Saturday, Aug. 10: The Tug
- 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast at the Port Byron Fire Station
- 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.: Nick Teddy 5k
- If you missed the online signup, day-of registration is available at 7:45 a.m.
- 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: 3x3 Basketball
- Find more info here
- 9 a.m.: Vendors, crafters and food trucks open
- 10 a.m.: Harley Hill on Cherry Street
- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Free games for kids at the library
- 11 a.m.: Kid's Tug
- Noon to 3 p.m.: THE TUG
- 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Bags Tournament
- 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Kid’s Pedal Tractor Pull
- If you missed the online signup, day-oof registration is available at 3:00 p.m.
- 4 p.m to 6 p.m.: David Casas Magic Show
- 4:30 p.m.: Tug Awards Ceremony
- 5 p.m.: Arm Wrestling Tournament across from Peacock's Tavern
- 6 to 6:30 p.m.: Sweet Corn Eating Contest
- 7 to 10 p.m.: Live music - Fair Warning
- 10 p.m.: Cutest Pet Contest voting ends
- Midnight: Festivities end
More information on Tugfest in Port Byron can be found here.