The Teulon Tractor Pull began in the 1970s as a grassroots competition among local Interlake farmers testing the strength of their farm equipment. Over time, the event evolved into one of Manitoba’s signature motorsport attractions, drawing competitors from across the Prairies and the Midwestern United States, while attracting spectators from as far away as Saskatchewan and Ontario. Held annually in mid-August at the Teulon Rockwood Green Acres Park, the pull became Manitoba’s only two-day tractor pull event and, for many years, one of the province’s longest-running competitions of its kind. Attendance regularly surpassed 2,000 people, with recent years often seeing between 2,500 and 3,000 spectators over the weekend. As the event grew, so did the machinery. What began with standard farm tractors pulling stone boats in friendly contests eventually expanded into highly modified trucks and tractors capable of producing extraordinary horsepower. Organizers later introduced modern pulling sled systems and joined the Red River Valley Pullers Association, helping establish a consistent lineup of competitors from Manitoba, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Beyond entertainment, the tractor pull became an important fundraiser and economic driver for the community, supporting local organizations through donations, concession partnerships, gate operations, and volunteer involvement. Over the decades, the event also featured additional attractions ranging from demolition derbies to dances and other family entertainment before eventually focusing solely on truck and tractor pulling. For many in the region, the Teulon Tractor Pull became more than a competition; it was a summer tradition that brought generations of families together and helped place the community on the map for motorsport enthusiasts across the region. Long-time organizer Bert Campbell says a combination of aging leadership, rising insurance requirements, and the challenge of finding new organizers ultimately led to the difficult decision. Related stories: Engines roar at Teulon’s 2025 Tractor Pull weekend Teulon Truck and Tractor Pull returns after 3 year pause Listen to all our news stories: Country 93 | Mix 96 | CFRY 920 Campbell, who became involved with the event in the 1970s and later served as chair and announcer, says the decision was not made lightly. “Both Gary and I are kind of aging out for one thing, and we didn’t really have anybody who wanted to grab the reins and carry on with it,” Campbell says. “We approached a couple of organizations in Teulon, and while everybody enjoyed the event and appreciated the fundraising, nobody really wanted to take hold of it and move it forward.” He notes increasing insurance regulations also played a major role in bringing the event to a close. “In 55 years, we never had an incident, but we also didn’t want to have one without proper coverage,” Campbell explains. “The regulations became overwhelming, and it was going to cost a lot of money just to meet the requirements. When you add that to limitations on crowd size without expanding infrastructure, it just became too much.” Built by volunteers What started as a local attraction eventually grew into a major event that required extensive volunteer support, sponsorship, and coordination behind the scenes. Campbell says while he and co-organizer Gary Dola handled much of the planning over the years, the event relied heavily on volunteers and community organizations to succeed. “Gary and I did most of the legwork behind the scenes, but when the event came together, there were a lot of volunteers who stepped up to help,” Campbell adds. “Over time, partnering with the Red River Valley Tractor Pullers Association made things much easier because they brought equipment, handled much of the track work, and helped create a more consistent show.” Before that partnership, Campbell recalls unpredictable years when organizers had no certainty about who would arrive to compete. “It used to be just whoever showed up,” he says. “If they found a better event somewhere else, that’s where they went, and you didn’t know until the day of. It was crazy. Hooking up with Red River Valley was a godsend for us.” Memories from the track Looking back over decades of tractor pulls, Campbell says weather disruptions remain some of the most unforgettable moments, particularly the years heavy rain forced cancellations. He also remembers standout competitors whose powerful machines became crowd favourites. “One of the biggest things I remember is Bill Lawrence from Melita, Manitoba, the Randy Canadian,” Campbell notes. “He had twin Allison aircraft engines generating about 6,500 horsepower on the track, and that was quite a show. We haven’t had anything that powerful since.” Campbell also points to longtime competitor Don Duffner of Buxton, North Dakota, as another memorable figure in the sport. “He’ll be 87 years old in September, maybe 88, and he’s still pulling,” Campbell continues. “He built a tractor when he was 78, and now his son is getting involved too. He has about 400 tractors sitting in his yard, though only a few are modified.” A community fundraiser While the tractor pull entertained thousands over the decades, Campbell says its purpose extended far beyond motorsport. Profits from the event regularly flowed back into the community, helping support organizations and local causes while keeping admission affordable for families. “Oh yeah, every profit we made, aside from a little bit left in the kitty for next year, went back into the community,” Campbell says. “We donated to the Teulon Museum, the Teulon Rockwood Fire Department, Harvest and Cheer Board, the hospital foundation, the Lillian Barron Breast Cancer Foundation, the Wish Foundation, and many more.” He says organizers intentionally kept ticket prices accessible so families could enjoy the experience without significant cost. “We tried to keep admission at a point where families could come out and enjoy the day without breaking the bank,” he adds. “It was pretty good entertainment for $20.” Community groups also benefited directly from their involvement during the event through concessions, gate operations, and fundraising opportunities. Campbell says organizations such as the Lions Club, curling club, and fire department played essential roles over the years, often keeping all profits from their own operations. “It’s going to leave a bit of a hole, I guess,” Campbell says. “But I suppose progress is progress.” Looking back Campbell says attendance often reached roughly 3,000 people over a two-day period, with support from dozens of sponsors helping keep the event running, even through difficult years. “The two years we got rained out, not one sponsor asked for their money back,” Campbell explains. “We had all the advertising done and no pull, but people stuck with us because they believed in what we were doing.” Reflecting on the event’s humble beginnings, Campbell says the tractor pull started in the early 1970s in a far simpler form. “It was just a bunch of guys with a stone boat, stepping on every five feet to add weight and see how far little tractors could pull,” he says. “That’s what we figure started around 1972. From there, it grew into something pretty special.”