Waukon to host this year’s Red Rock Threshers Annual Tractor Ride July 20-21
Waukon Economic Development and the Waukon Chamber of Commerce have announced that the Red Rock Threshers Tractor Club has chosen Waukon as the home to base its annual tractor ride for 2018, scheduled for July 20-21. The hospitality displayed in the past to other tractor rides and the scenic area of Allamakee County all played a part in being chosen for their ride this year, according to event organizers.
The Red Rock Threshers Tractor Club is a club made up of members from several towns in central Iowa around the Lake Red Rock area, and the group is based out of Pella. They are an active club that was started back in the 1970s by hosting a local antique tractor pull in Pella, for which they built their very own tractor pulling sled that is still being used today.
Throughout each year they sponsor several different activities including not only the antique tractor pull, but corn picking and shelling, threshing and plowing demonstrations. One of the things the club members most enjoy is their annual Red Rock Threshers Tractor Ride which is always held the third weekend in July. They enjoy time together on their annual tractor ride and especially find it not only scenic and breathtaking but relaxing, according to event leaders.
Trucks, trailers and tractors will start arriving in Waukon Thursday, July 19 after 3:30 p.m., where drivers will have time to register and gather all necessary information about the ride and about Waukon and the surrounding area. All the vehicles will be parking and basing at the Waukon High School. The Allamakee Athletic Booster Club will be serving a ribeye steak sandwich dinner for the drivers, riders and support staff. The ride will begin with an all-day ride Friday, July 20 followed by a shorter ride Saturday, July 21.
Ardie Kuhse, WEDC Director, noted that this is a very busy time for Waukon and Allamakee County with that same week being the Allamakee County Fair, but she also noted that the Fair Board embraced the opportunity and quickly put out an invitation to the riders to attend the fair while here and offered up a fair voucher whereby the riders can purchase a meal at the fair at a very reasonable cost. “I am thrilled to have had the support and partnership of the Fair Board in welcoming our guests to Waukon,” stated Kuhse.
The Tractor Club organizers have also been mindful of the fair and have chosen their routes carefully as to not directly interfere with fair goers. However, Kuhse noted that all Allamakee County residents need to take note of their intended routes and be mindful of alternative routes to take when traveling in and around Waukon. A list of the exact routes and roads will be published in the July 11 issue of The Standard.
“I am thrilled for the opportunity for Waukon to again lay out the red carpet for our guests and to be able to serve and meet their needs. We definitely will benefit with increased sales of gas, food, lodging, personal needs and fun shopping by our visitors,” stated Kuhse.
