West Central FFA and FFA Alumni Tractor Pull
In Oquawka, Ill., the roar of engines and the smell of diesel signal more than just another summer event. The annual West Central FFA and FFA Alumni Tractor Pull is a tradition that has powered the local FFA chapter and brought the community together for decades.
The event traces its roots to the early 1980s, when Union High School FFA hosted its first tractor pull. Since the consolidation into West Central FFA, the chapter has held 14 consecutive pulls in Oquawka, after hosting it for 10 years in Gladstone prior to the flood of 2008. Each year, the event draws crowds ranging from 1,800 to more than 4,000 attendees.
With an annual earning potential between $20,000 and $42,000, the tractor pull is the chapter’s biggest fundraiser. The event offers more than financial benefits, however, it also gives the community a free, family-friendly event to look forward to each year, usually right before the Fourth of July. Local businesses also benefit from the increased traffic and tourism the event brings.
Behind the scenes, 75 to 100 volunteers, including FFA and alumni members, come together to plan, coordinate and run the event. Their teamwork and dedication make it all possible.
For Darrell Gittings, the West Central FFA advisor, some of the most meaningful moments are the memorial pulling classes held in honor of former members and alumni. One year in particular stands out.
“I bought my dad’s old 806 IH tractor — one he had sold 24 years earlier,” Gittings says. “With some help, we got it into pulling shape. He pulled in two classes that year and placed in both.” Seeing the smiles on the faces of family and friends is something he’ll never forget.
However, not every year goes as planned. The weather has occasionally thrown a wrench into the event, resulting in rain delays and cancellations. The West Central FFA team continues to adapt and push forward, powered by passion, community spirit and a love for the tradition it has built.
The West Central FFA Tractor Pull is more than just a fundraiser — it’s a celebration of community, tradition and the lasting impact of agricultural education. Through the dedication of students, alumni and volunteers, the event continues to grow and thrive, year after year. Whether it’s honoring past members, raising critical funds or bringing people together for a night of excitement, the tractor pull represents the heart of the West Central FFA Chapter and the community it proudly serves.
