Fair's pedal pull continues to be a favorite event

Four-year-old Jamison Clearwater digs deep to add a few more feet to his run in the Farm Bureau Pedal Pull on Friday, Aug. 8. (Roger Sims / Linn County Journal)

MOUND CITY – There is little doubt that the Farm Bureau Pedal Pull is the largest, well-attended pedal event in Linn County every year. The pull, on Friday, Aug. 8, the next to last day of the 2025 Linn County Fair and Rodeo, did not disappoint. With 27 colorful trophies sitting on a table by the announcer, the competitors knew the stakes were high.

Set up in the Horse Barn with rodeo participants working their steeds nearby, the 4- to 12-year-olds were ready to have a crack as being the strongest puller before a crowd of more than 70 family members and other competitors.

With all the ease of a man out for a Sunday drive on his tractor, 3-year-old Waylon Rhynerson wasn't rattled by the crowd watching from the bleachers in the Horse Barn. (Roger Sims / Linn County Journal)

So when the announcer called for all 4-year-olds to line up for their class, a couple of 3-year-olds wouldn’t be left behind. And though there weren’t any trophies for the younger competitors, that didn’t seem to matter.

Winners in the 4-year-old class were, from left, Cayden Castle, third place; Jamison Clearwater, second, and Wade Meiwes, first place. (Trophy photos courtesy of April Castle / Farm Bureau)

Top pedalers in the 5-year-old bracket are, from left, Molly Blevins, third place August Cummings, second; and Loan Sloan, first place.

In the 6-year-old class, the winners are, from left, Braylee Sheets, third place; Colt Correll, second; and Eli Kramer, first place.

Top pedalers in the 7-year-old bracket are, from left, Jasper Willard, third place; Edson Brownback, second; and Edward Meiwes, first place.

The 8-year-olds battling for the top three places are, from left, Bentley Cummings, third; Ramileo Lewis, second; and Henry Blevins, first place.

Harper Spencer, from left, took third place in the 9-year-old division; Paisley Flaska was second, and top prize went to Hoyt Lanser.

In the 10-year-old group, Rylee Jamison, left, placed third, Levi Sloan was second, and Ellie Kramer took first place.

The 11-year-old winners were, from left, Easton Bruner, third; Mason Stainbrook, second; and Scout Lanser, first place.

In the 12-year-old division, from left, Bronson Brownback placed third, Kora Stainbrook was second and Jordyn Burns was first.