LECLAIRE, IOWA (July 29, 2019) — Almost every community across the country has some sort of big summer event that includes carnival rides, great food, live entertainment, parades, and fireworks. The cities of LeClaire, Iowa and Port Byron, Illinois are no exception, but these two beautiful towns have a unique 3-day event that is unlike any festival anywhere else in the USA. It’s called Tug Fest and it runs August 8-10, 2019.
Tug Fest hosts live bands, carnival rides, great food, a grand parade, a 5K run, and the GREATEST fireworks spectacular in the two-state area. What makes Tug Fest truly unique is the fact that it is the only Tug-of-War event in the country between two states and the only event that closes the Mississippi River.
On August 10, 12:30–3PM, boat traffic yields the right-of-way to a 2,700-foot long, 680-pound rope that stretches across the river between the two towns. 11 teams from each side are pitted against each other trying to gain advantage by pulling in the most feet of rope within 3 minutes. The town with the most winning teams takes the coveted Alabaster Eagle trophy and bragging rights for that year.
Tug Fest has been going steady for 33 years with each year’s competition between Iowa and Illinois tuggers getting more intense. This year’s festival kicks off on Thursday, August 8, with Family Night, FREE admission to all, live entertainment from Doug Brundies and a blind draw Bags Tournament. Friday, August 9, will host our grand parade, fireworks spectacular, and live music performed by North of 40. Saturday, August 10, is Tug Day, with a children’s tug in the morning and the BIG Tug at 12:30PM, followed by an arm-wrestling tournament and an awesome live entertainment by The Binjers in the evening. Returning this year is the "Families Helping Families" food drive. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at the Jones Street entrance all weekend long. The food drive will benefit the local food pantry that serves LeClaire, Princeton, McCausland, Pleasant Valley, and Riverdale.
Illinois leads the competition with 21 winning years over Iowa’s 11. Who will take home the trophy this year? Come and join us for a fun filled Tug Fest weekend and find out why we say “It’s all there in LeClaire!”
This year’s theme is “Iowa Proud” and the Tug-for-a-Cause beneficiary is the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.tugfest.com.
