The Tractor Pull: KTA Brings the Thunder to the Grandstand

If you've never felt the ground shake beneath your feet as a modified tractor roars down the track pulling a sled weighing tens of thousands of pounds, you're in for a treat. The Kentucky Tractor Pullers Association (KTA) brings its premier pulling series to the Southeast Kentucky Fair on Thursday and Friday nights — and it's one of the loudest, most thrilling events of fair week.

What Is a Tractor Pull?

The concept is simple: a tractor (or truck) hooks up to a weighted sled and pulls it down a dirt track. The further you pull, the heavier it gets, because the sled's weight box moves forward as you go. The competitor who pulls the sled the farthest wins. If multiple competitors reach the end of the track (a 'full pull'), they go to a pull-off with even more weight.

The Classes

KTA events feature multiple classes, each with its own rules and fan base. You'll see everything from farm stock tractors — machines that look like they just came off a working farm — to heavily modified super stock tractors with massive turbocharged engines producing thousands of horsepower. There are also truck classes, where pickups of all configurations compete.

The modified classes are where things get wild. These machines barely resemble tractors anymore — they're essentially drag-racing engines on a chassis, with multiple superchargers, alcohol-burning engines, and enough noise to rattle the grandstand. When the driver nails the launch and the turbo spools up, the crowd erupts.

What to Expect as a Spectator

KTA tractor pulls run on Thursday evening (July 24) and Saturday afternoon (July 25) at the grandstand. Thursday night also features lawn mower races in the afternoon — a fan-favorite that's faster and more competitive than you might expect. The evening wraps with a live concert under the pavilion.

Bring ear protection — and kids' ear muffs if you're bringing small children. The modified classes are genuinely loud — we're talking jet-engine-decibel levels. Sit in the lower rows if you want to feel the rumble in your chest; sit higher up for a better view of the full track and the sled's weight box in motion.

And don't miss the pull-offs. When two or more tractors full-pull, they bring them back for a tiebreaker with added weight. The tension in the grandstand is electric as each driver tries to out-pull the last. It's the kind of edge-of-your-seat drama you don't expect from a tractor — and it's unforgettable.