A new era of tractor pulls arrives at this year’s Mower County Fair.

The Mower County Corn and Soybean Growers Association is offering a cash purse to pullers.

The pull for pay competition takes place Friday, Aug. 8 in the familiar southwest corner of the fairgrounds.

Registration begins at 4 p.m. with the first pull taking off at 4:30 p.m.

When the 10,500-pound farm stock class rolls around 8 p.m., the Mower County Corn and Soybean Growers Association will tempt the pullers with cash.

The first-place winner will receive $300. Second- and third-place winners will receive $200 and $100, respectively.

“This kind of prize money promises to attract all kinds of local power from the surrounding area,” said Mike Merten, president of the association.

According to Merten, the association came up with the idea of a cash purse to promote the use of clean-burning, locally-grown fuels that will be used in the tractors that pull next Friday night.

“It’s a fantastic way to display and promote ethanol and soy-diesel as it is burned in these vehicles and have an exciting and entertaining evening at the same time,” Merten said.

This is the first time a cash purse has been offered at the Mower County Fair tractor pull.

Always one of the best-attended events at the Mower County Fair, the tractor pull and its loyal fans have been lobbying to make it a grandstands event at the annual Mower County Fair.

The number of pullers and tractor pull fans has increased steadily each August.

Joe Schechinger organizes the tractor pull each year.

According to Schechinger, he expects the addition of a cash purse to increase interest in this year’s tractor pull.

“We expect more pullers and more fans,” Schechinger said. “We appreciate what the Mower County Corn and Soybean Growers Association is doing.”

Originally, the giant 12,500-pound farm stock class was thought to be ideal for the cash purse pulling action.

However, that was changed to the 10,500-pound farm stock class to attract more pullers.

A strict 5 miles per hour speed limit will be imposed on racing night.

Schechinger said a crew of 12 will be in action next Friday night at the tractor pull. They will include flag men, sled operators and others.

Gary Ziegler and his wife, Cindy, will serve as masters of ceremonies to announce the action.

“Don’t miss the excitement this year’s tractor pull promises to deliver,” he said.

Pullers will compete in farm stock, sportsman and stock antique divisions.

For more information, call Schechinger at 433-3890 or cell 438-6639.