Bea Green, 10, of Waterford guts it out at the Waterford World’s Fair Kiddie Peddle Tractor Pull on Sunday. Green won the heavyweight division of the tractor pull and beat all scores with a distance of 76 feet. Nicole Carter / Advertiser Democrat
WATERFORD — A little rain and mud did not stop the Waterford World’s Fair from sticking to its event schedule last weekend. After a one-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, the fair returned in 2021 to record attendance.
A highlight of day three was the Kiddie Peddle Tractor Pull. Two divisions — one lightweight and one heavyweight — of kids from Lewiston to Pennsylvania competed to see who could peddle a tractor the farthest while carting the most bricks. One brick was added to the pull load every 10 feet. The athletes who made it the farthest with the heaviest load on their sled took the top prizes.
Despite distractions, John Collard, 5, of Bridgton took top prize in the Kiddie Peddle Tractor Pull’s lightweight division at the Waterford World’s Fair on Sunday Nicole Carter / Advertiser Democrat
The pull was done in two heats, but interrupted when one of the tractors lost a wheel and had to be repaired. Another delay occurred when a very young entrant got cold feet at the start line and she refused to climb on her tractor.
In the end, Waterford native Bea Green, 10, took the first place trophy and ribbon in the heavyweight division. John Collard, 5, of Bridgton placed first in the lightweight division, going an impressive 75 feet and 2 inches.
A veteran of previous tractor pulls in 2018 and 2019, Green led all competitors with a second run of 76 feet and load of eight bricks, beating her own first heat by almost 20 feet. She credited her victory to a late strategy adjustment.
“The first time I had a hard time with the pedals,” Green said, clutching her trophy and blue ribbon. “So I took my boots off and it was much easier to pedal with bare feet.”
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