By Kate Kopatich
Published: Jul. 19, 2024 at 5:57 PM CDT|Updated: Aug. 9, 2024 at 11:44 AM CDT
LECLAIRE, Iowa and PORT BYRON, Ill. (KWQC) - It’s a bi-state tradition that’s been going on for years. The 37th annual Tug Fest celebration takes place this weekend.
The three-day Tug Fest began Thursday with live bands, carnival rides, fair food, a grand parade, and fireworks, and it ends Saturday with the tug contests.
Event organizers say Tug Fest is the only tug-of-war contest in the U.S. between two states and the only event that closes the Mississippi River.
Boat traffic yields the right of way from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday to a 2,700-foot-long, 680-pound rope that stretches across the river between LeClaire and Port Byron.
Eleven teams on each side of the river will compete to pull the most feet of rope within three minutes. The town with the most winning teams takes the coveted Alabaster Eagle trophy and bragging rights for the year.
In 2023, Port Byron claimed the win over LeClaire.
Each year, the competition between Illinois and Iowa tuggers gets more intense, organizers said.
In LeClaire:
This year’s theme is “Stars and Stripes - A Salute to America” and the Tug-for-a-Cause beneficiary is Hiney Heroes.
Thursday - Family Night, Free admission
- 5:30 p.m. - Carnival, vendors and beverage tent open.
- 5:30 to 10 p.m. - Bingo, south end of levee.
- 5:30 to 8 p.m. - Parade packet pickup in beverage tent.
- 6 to 10 p.m. - Carnival wristband night, $30 for all the rides you can ride.
- 6 p.m. - Bags tournament, north end of levee.
- 7 p.m. - Live music by Press Record.
- 11 p.m. - “Thanks for coming, see you tomorrow!”
Friday - Admission $8 (free for 12 and younger)
- 4:30 p.m. - Parade lineup at LeClaire Fire Station.
- 5 p.m. - Community tailgate party at LeClaire Baptist Church parking lot.
- 6 p.m. - Grand parade.
- 6 p.m. - Carnival, vendors and beverage tent open.
- 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Bingo, south end of levee.
- 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. - VIP Sponsor Party, north end of levee.
- 8:30 p.m. - Live music by Dirt Road Rockers.
- 9:30 p.m. - Fireworks.
- Midnight - “Thanks for coming, see you tomorrow!”
Saturday - Admission $8 (free for 12 and younger)
- 7 a.m. - Community Breakfast (Civic Club)
- 8 a.m. - Tugger Registration (Civic Club)
- 10 a.m. - Kids Tug (Sign-up begins at 9:30 a.m. on the north end of the levee)
- 11 a.m. - Vendors and beverage tent open.
- Noon to 10:30 p.m. - Bingo, south end of the levee.
- Noon to 3 p.m. - “The Tug” Le Claire vs. Port Byron, Tug Pit, north end of levee.
- 6 p.m. - Live music by Made Ya Look.
- 7 p.m. - Live music by 7 Ark.
- 9 p.m. - Live music by Soul Storm.
- Midnight - end of Tug Fest.
Keep scrolling for Port Byron events.
For more information about Tug Fest-LeClaire, click here.
In Port Byron:
Thursday - Family Night, free admission
- Carnival - Family Night only special (wristbands available for $30 day-of for unlimited rides on Thursday evening)
- Early bird wristband - Can be purchased at Dollar General in Port Byron Aug. 5-7 for $25 - To be used on Thursday night only
- Family night - only wristbands purchased Thursday at the carnival are $30
- 2024 Cutest Pet Contest - votes from July 15-29 of the top 10 “liked” pet photos advanced to the final round during Tug Fest.
- David Casas Magic in downtown Port Byron
- Kid Owned Business Night - kid-owned businesses will showcase their business during Family Night
- 6 p.m. - Illinois Prince and Princess Pageant. Prince/Princess begins at 6:30 p.m. and Queen begins at 7 p.m.
Friday - $5 per person (free for 12 and younger)
- Carnival wristbands are $35
- Shuttle rides will be available at Dorrance Park and the Port Byron Methodist Church to downtown Port Byron from 5 p.m. to midnight
- 4 p.m. - Sign-up starts for the Final Qualifier Round of the Quad Cities Karaoke Championship LLC hosted by Twisted Tones KJ and DJ services
- 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Final Qualifier Round of the Quad Cities Karaoke Championship LLC hosted by Twisted Tones KJ and DJ services in front of the gazebo downtown. There will be limited spots available due to time constraints. The event will be day-of signup only.
- 9 p.m. - Live music by JACK’D on Main Street in downtown Port Byron
- 9:30 p.m. - Fireworks
Saturday - $5 per person (free for 12 and younger)
- Carnival wristbands are $35
- 7 a.m. to noon - annual Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast at Station #1 - 120 S. Main St. Regular and blueberry pancakes, hashbrown patties, scrambled eggs and more.
- 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Illinois three-on-three basketball tournament. Check in begins at 7 a.m. Games will be played on the boat ramp and Main Street in Port Byron. - Registration is live
- 8:30 a.m. - Nick Teddy 5k presented by Tug Fest- Illinois at Main Street in Port Byron - Registration is live
- 11 a.m. - Kids Tug of War, near the main tug site.
- David Casas Magic in downtown Port Byron
- Noon to 3 p.m. - “The Tug” LeClaire vs. Port Byron, at Tug Pit - north end of levee.
- 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - Tug Fest - Illinois three-on-three basketball tournament. Games will be played on the boat ramp and Main Street in Port Byron. Registration is live.
- 4 p.m. - Bags tournament sponsored by Young’s Heating & A/C - prize money to win - Signup is live.
- 4 p.m. - Kids’ Pedal Tractor Pull, multiple age groups, to take place in front of Village Hall, presented by Eastern Iowa Pedal Pullers - Registration is live.
- Shuttle rides will be available at Dorrance Park and the Port Byron Methodist Church to downtown Port Byron from 5 p.m. to midnight
- 5 p.m. - Arm wrestling competition hosted by Monster Arm Wrestling
- 6 p.m. - Sweet Corn Eating Contest in downtown Port Byron after the Tug presented by LW Cattle Company (early registration opened on July 15) $200 cash prize - Registration is live
- 7 p.m. - Live music by Fair Warning
For more information about Tug Fest- Port Byron, click here.
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