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Stettler and Big Valley both host a variety of events in mid-July

By Liam Rockliffe, for the Independent
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The Antiguqe Tractor Club tractor pull took place on July 16. (Liam Rockliffe, for the Independent)

By Liam Rockliffe, for the Independent

The Stettler Antique Tractor Club hosted their annual Tractor pull on the weekend of July 16.

Starting at 10:30 a.m. after some delays, the tractor pull took place on the same day that Big valley hosted its annual Steam Days.

In additional to these events, a special unplanned entrance of one hundred and one motorcycles into Big Valley near the end of the afternoon.

The tractor pull is touted as a fun event for all to enjoy, especially those with an appreciation for ancient engines of surprising power.

Towing behind them is a sled that slowly creates more drag as they get further down the line.

Each tractor gets two turns, hoping to get as far down the line as possible on each as both runs get added together to equal their final score.

Separated by weight classes, the day started with the lightest tractors, also known as the bantam league.

This league ranges for all tractors between 0 and 3,999-lbs.

Then classes one through to three all have weight classes increasing by 1000 for each class.

Class 4 begins at 7,000-lbs until 8,499, then classes 5 and 6 end it off with 8,500-9,999 and 10,000-12,000-lbs respectively.

Moving over to the Big Valley Steam Day’s events, steam engines stood tall as vintage cars pulled into the field next to the train station.

At the event a vendor offered wares made of brass and repurposed bullet casings while another adjusted his small steam train to ride around the event. Another man had a replica Rumley OilPull tractor which runs exclusively on kerosene also roaming the event.

The steam machines brought people back to the days when steam was the only technology available. Some did the now simple task of pumping water as others made labours such as sanding and woodworking an ease.

Shortly before the train arrived, the sounds of one hundred and one motorcycles filled the air as the Three Angels bike poker rally cruised into town.

Bikes filled the street and the parking lots in Big Valley as the bikers roamed the village.

The poker rally was in support of firefighters and they had a wonderful turnout.

The train arrived at 4:05 after a ‘successful’ train robbery. On arriving, out hopped many passengers who roamed the steam themed field.

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At one time, steam power was the latest and greatest technology. (Liam Rockliffe, for the Independent)
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On July 16, 101 motorcycles stopped in Big Valley on a poker rally in support of fire fighters. (Liam Rockliffe, for the Independent)
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A miniature steam engine in Big Valley. (Liam Rockliffe, for the Independent)