Candidate for State Senator, Jimmy Stewart, and candidate for State Representative, Troy Balderson were in attendance. "We are here to help support the local economy. It is a good way to meet people in a rural community. Out here, we can't knock on every door," said Stewart.

Read the full story originally published Coshocton Tribune.

June 22, 2008

Storm stops tractosrs, but not appetites

By JESSICA STANTON
Staff Writer

BAKERSVILLE - The Chicken Bar-B-Q and Tractor Pulls held by the Bakersville Volunteer Fire Department got off to a good start.

But the tractor pulls were quickly ended just before 7 p.m. Saturday when a severe storm rumbled into the area.

That didn't stop people from eating, though. The Fire Department bought 900 halves of chicken, and they were getting low by the time the rain hit.

Kim Berger of Bakersville helped with the cooking and taking money. "We started cooking around 10," she said. Berger's husband and daughter are both volunteers for the Department.

Vicky Dennis of West Lafayette really enjoyed her food. "Oh, it was delicious, until the wind picked up and it got dust on it! she said.

David Myers of Newcomerstown said he comes for the food. His favorite part of the dinner? "Eating it", he said.

Myers also came to watch his niece's son, Christian Bible, in the tractor pulls. He was disappointed that it was rained out.

Barbara Myers of Fresno was also disappointed. "I was anxious to see it this year, because they extended the track and the bleachers," she said.

This year, a lot had changed.

"This is the first year we are pulling farm stock and open farm tractors; it has always been about antique tractors, previously," said John Ridenour, the assistant fire chief and president of the Fire Department.

They were trying to bring in more of a crowd with the change. "The economy is bad, people don't really want to spend money, so we thought we would put on a good show and make it worth their while," Ridenour added.

The Chicken Bar-B-Q and Tractor Pulls event is one of the major fundraisers put on by the Fire Department this year. "We get a tax levy, but it isn't enough to cover what we need, so we raise money," said Ridenour.

Ridenour put his younger brother, Ben Ridenour, in charge of the tractor pulls. "I planned it all," said the younger Ridenour. "I called the Tractor Pulling Association in Lancaster, Pa. for the rules, went to businesses and got donations for the trophies."

Candidate for State Senator, Jimmy Stewart, and candidate for State Representative, Troy Balderson were in attendance. "We are here to help support the local economy. It is a good way to meet people in a rural community. Out here, we can't knock on every door," said Stewart.

"These are the good people we represent," added Balderson. "And the chicken is good."

Gary Fischer of Warsaw attended with his grandson, Logan, 1. "He liked the sound of the tractors, but he liked the chicken and applesauce better," Fischer said.

The fundraiser started out in the early 1960's as a Bar-B-Q and Horse Show and has since evolved into the modern day tractor pulls.

The Bakersville Volunteer Fire Department will host another Chicken Bar-B-Q and Tractor Pull on Aug. 8.