Bakersville pulling season opens for 75th year

Saturday, June 20, starts the 2026 Bakersville Pulling season for the 75th year. The tradition that was started in August 1951 continues to this day with the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren of the original pullers keeping the legacy of the past while looking to the future while keeping the fundraising purpose intact. The fundraising from the pulls have kept the Bakersville Community Park, the Bakersville Community Fire Department and the Bakersville Cemetery Association in operation.

The activities start Saturday morning, June 20, at 7 a.m. at the eat stand where the Bakersville Playground Committee will be serving breakfast. They will be serving until about 11 a.m. or until they run out of food. All proceeds from the breakfast will go towards the purchase of new playground equipment for the park. Several of the pieces of equipment have fallen into disrepair and there is a demand for some new pieces of equipment. The purchases of new equipment is a substantial cost but the playground committee is dedicated and will get this done.

Over in the Bud Hawk Arena the tractors will start weighing in at 8 a.m. with the pull starting at 9 a.m. This is a stone boat pull and the classes pulled will be 5500# - 7000# - 8500# - 10,500# and 12,500#. The Bakersville Stone Boat Pulls have long been known to be some of the best in the area. Many of the pullers have been coming here for 25 plus years. This year each class will have a $100 purse with prizes being first place - $50; second place $30; and third place $20. Entry fee is $10. For questions you may call 330-440-3226 or 740-502-7182 or 740-294-8087. Updates and announcements are also posted on the Bakersville Ohio Tractor Pullers Facebook page. Proceeds from the tractor pull are split 50/50 by the Bakersville Community Park and the Bakersville Cemetery Association. Costs have went up for both entities and the profit from the pull is a vital part of each entities budget to pay expenses.

Progressive Valley Livestock 4-H will be serving food all day, starting about noon, at the food stand at the Bud Hawk Arena next to the tractor pull. They will be serving a full menu with costs being donation. Proceeds from their sales goes to support the 4-H kids with their project costs. In a rural agricultural community like Bakersville, 4-H and FFA are important programs that help develop the agriculturalists of tomorrow.

The local fire department will not be having a chicken barbeque at the June pull this year but will be having one during the Bakersville Homecoming. In case of inclement weather, the rain date is the next Saturday, June 27.