The Cowan Civic Center hosted a two-day antique tractor pull over the weekend, drawing competitors from Colorado all the way to as far east as New York.
The NATPA (National Antique Tractor Pulling Association) sanctioned event was held Jan. 1 and 2 at the CCC. Lebanon has been the host of the event for at least six years.
The pull is organized and sponsored by Missouri Pulling LLC, an event promotional company out of southwest Missouri that specializes in antique and garden tractor pulls. Owner Carl Buckner of Fair Grove has been organizing antique tractor and garden tractor pulls for decades including the pull at the Ozark Empire Fair and several others across the state. Buckner also mentioned that 2020 was supposed to be a landmark year for him as a long-time participant, sponsor and supporter of antique tractor pulls. Unfortunately, 2020 was different due to Covid.
“Last year was going to be my 50th year at the Missouri State Fair but it got cancelled,” Buckner said. Buckner, 83, mentioned that he doesn’t pull much himself anymore because he is so busy organizing and promoting them.
For more on this story see Wednesday's LCR.
