Boulder County Fair's Tractor Pull brings in brute force and souped-up farm rides

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It's a hot August day, and you're sitting on the metal bleachers inside a packed arena. In front of you sit two souped-up tractors with large sleds attached to the back, waiting in anticipation for a joy ride.

"What are they about to do?" You ask yourself.

The short answer is -- they're going to pull. You've found yourself at the Boulder County Fairgrounds, eagerly awaiting the annual Tractor Pull event, a motorsport competition where modified tractors or trucks pull a heavy sled along a track to see who can get the furthest. Each round, the weight on the sled is increased.

It's a game of physics and speed. And an event of revved-up proportions.

"I've had the front of my rig 5 to 6 feet in the air," said two-wheel driver, Danny Davis. "That's not ideal for pulling, but it puts on a good show."

Back at the ripe age of 16, Davis said he was introduced to tractor racing by a friend who built machinery engines. That's when his longstanding friendship with the tractor -- yes, a tractor -- began.

Now, almost three decades later, Davis is gearing up to compete in the Boulder County Fair's annual Tractor Pull event. The pull brings in these highly modified tractors that are rigged to literally pull a heavy drag -- or sled -- along a 35-foot-wide, 330-foot-long track. The driver who comes out on top is the one who pulls the drag the farthest.

Boulder County Fair has been incorporating this event in its slate of fair activities for well over 20 years, but in the last three years, the National Sled Pullers Association (NSPA) Pulling has taken ownership of the event, owner Nicole Ley said.

Since Ley and her family took the reins of the event, she said that the attendance skyrocketed, bringing in more than 2,000 people each event, creating a more vibrant turnout.

At the tractor pull, Ley said visitors can expect to see a 333-horsepower tractor reach up to 30 miles per hour. The force exerted on the tractor from the sled that it pulls ends up being about 25,000 pounds of deadweight per pull. Ley said.

She said her family has organized about 40 truck and tractor pulls over the years, bringing in competition and power from all over.

According to Davis, there are tractor pulls that take place across the nation, but the sport is starting to gain more traction in Colorado, more than ever before. David reflected on his first victory at the Boulder County Fair's tractor pull nearly 22 years ago -- and is ready to go again this year.

"Winning is fun, but making friends is better," Davis said. He noted that the event brings families from all over the community together, making the connections an exciting aspect of the hobby. "We have made a lot of friends doing this sport."

The Tractor Pull will revs its engines at 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont, at the Jack Murphy Outdoor Arena. Admission to the fairgrounds for the Boulder County Fair is free, but tickets are required for the tractor pull. General admission is priced at $17-$22, or the fans who enjoy the powerful hum of the weight-loading engine can snag a front-row spot for $32-$35.

TICKETED EVENTS

CPRA Rodeo

Watch local cowgirls and cowboys compete in the 2025 Colorado Pro Rodeo Association (CPRA) Rodeo. The event kicks off at 7 p.m. Aug. 7 in the Jack Murphy Outdoor Arena at the Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road in Longmont. Tickets are $22 online but will increase to $27 the day of the event. Doors open and mutton bustin' starts at 4 p.m.

Demolition Derby

The Demolition Derby roars into town at 5 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont. The engines start at 5 p.m., but gates will open early at 3:30 p.m. for excited fans. Admission to the fairgrounds for the Boulder County Fair is free, but tickets are required for the derby event. General admission is priced at $32-$37, while those looking to get closer to the action can grab a pit pass for $47-$52. Don't miss out on the chance to see metal chaos and a lively setting of fun destruction.