Williamstown Tractor Pull: How a Small Towns Biggest Event Came To Be

At the Intersection of State Highway A and E, the small town of Williamstown MO prepares for the 7th Annual Williamstown Tractor Pull. Trucks will be lined up and down the track as many from around the area come to chat with friends and hear high powered engines pull that sled down the track. Slated for Friday August 23rd starting at 5 PM. The Illinois Farm Pulling Association will be returning, bringing with them 9 classes to pull.

I got to sit down and chat with Clint Briscoe the head organizer of the event. Clint a Williamstown native started the event in 2018 as an antique tractor pull. When asked how it came to be Clint says. “I got into tractor pulling in 2008, of course, I grew up in Williamstown, and just kept seeing vacant lots and old houses falling down. I finally got the idea if I could get a little ground here I’d have an antique tractor pull.”

We asked Clint what it was like proposing the idea to his friends. “It kind of started out with my idea, I think some of my buddies thought I was crazy but, I’ve got some real good friends and it was a group effort.”

Clint says that they had to haul 75 tandem loads of clay to the tracks location. And after a few years of pulling antiques. The Illinois Farm Pulling Association would come into town. Clint pulls his International Tractor named Second Choice for the IFPA. One day approached the President Kent Duesterhaus and they worked out the schedule.

When asked about expanding it he says. “We need to try and get a little more ground bought so we have more parking.” He also discussed afterwards about looking at bleachers and the idea of adding another lane if possible.

For a small town of only 40 people the Williamstown Tractor Pull brings people from all over for what is essentially a second fair in Lewis County. There are trailer vendors serving food. I can’t wait to see where and what it will grow into. Make sure to come on out and have a good time. Stay