Tractor Pull event back at Reporoa

Tractors pull the crowds.

More than 50 tractors across seven different weight classes are expected at the first Reporoa Tractor Pull and Community Day in eight years on Saturday.

As well as the machines on show there will be some good old-fashioned country fair fun.

Reporoa dairy farmer Art Maandonks who is organising the event with daughter-in-law April said the tractors would be pulling the same sled used at Mystery Creek for the national fieldays tractor pull event.

Weight classes ranged from 0-17 tonne.

“And then we’ve got a class for some trucks, fertiliser spreaders and other trucks… and then we’ve got the class for the old tractors, pre ’85 tractors, and one for the modifieds.”

A couple of V8s were included in the six or so modified tractor entries.

“You know, you need them for the show… some noise and smoke.”

The food was all done by different local community groups as a fundraiser, he said, with schools, scouts or playcentres running a stall or stand.

Art, who has his own modified tractor, said a tractor pull had been an annual fixture for five or so years and was last held in 2016 in Reporoa.

“Sometimes it’s good to give things a bit of a break and then bring them back.”

As well as contractors and farmers competing at the Claas Harvest Centre sponsored event, entertainment on offer will include pony rides, go-karts, a lolly drop, a pile of sawdust lucky dip for kids, and even a pedal tractor for pre-schoolers with the quickest over a certain distance winning the tractor on the day.

Reporoa Domain on East Road, 9am-4pm with most of the action between 10am and 2pm.