(Radio Iowa/KJAN) – It’s an Iowa farm tradition that dates back generations, pushing our machinery to the limits — in tractor pulls. The Cass County Fairgrounds in Atlantic is hosting a free tractor pull tomorrow (Saturday), with organizers promising all the sights, sounds and smoke as tractors roar down the track. Alan Zellmer, with West Central Iowa Pullers, says they’ll open the event at 10 A-M with the -garden- tractor pulls.

Those big tractors are expected to hit the track around 4 P-M and Zellmer says there’s a new twist this year.

There are four categories of tractors participating in the main show: farm stock, altered farm class; 3,000 RPM class, and the 3,200 RPM class. Zellmer says participants in the big tractor pull come from as far away as Sioux City. The free event will conclude with a fireworks display.

Communities across Iowa are celebrating the red, white and blue this weekend, but the southwest Iowa town of Exira is going all out. Abby Rasmussen, president of the Exira Community Club, says this will be the 158th Independence Day bash with their “Hometown Pride” festival launching this afternoon (Friday) with a farmer’s market and plenty of food options. Saturday’s events will start early with a Road Run at Exira City Park.

Events through the weekend include a co-ed softball tournament, a community barbecue, carnival rides, and the Exira High School Class of 1973 reunion. On the 4th of July, there’s another foot race at 9 A-M, followed by the parade at 10:30.

Find more information at the Exira Community Club’s Facebook page.
www.facebook.com/ExiraCommunityClub