The 31st annual Tug Fest, a tug-of-war between Port Byron and LeClaire has been described by participants as “three minutes of hell.”
Port Byron pulls out another win at Tug Fest
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Libby Wilson of Riverdale, pulls for First Central State Bank and gives it her all as they pull against Hillsdale Storage.
Members of Blackwell Mediation in LeClaire show their exhaustion and frustration Saturday afternoon after pulling 41.3 feet against Black Fab in Port Byron that pulled 65.3 feet during the 31st annual Tugfest between LeClaire and Port Byron.
Pleasant Valley senior Tanner Erickson 18, shows the amount of resin on his hands before he pulls.
Illinois judge Brett McCormick marks the rope as Blackwell Mediation begins its pull in LeClaire.
Austin Crary of Madison, Wis., wears a Burger King crown as he pulls for Swiss Colony on the Iowa side.
Iowa side cheering coach Alycia Kuberski of LeClaire is stern with her instructions to tugger Michael Martinez as he pulls for Cassatt Drywall.
Blake Mills of LeClaire raises his arms in victory as Snapp Fitness out pulls Duey's Corner Tap 60 feet to 40.6 feet.
A celebration of tuggers from many of the Iowa side teams breaks out with dancing and throwing beer.
Tuggers from Pleasant Valley High School pull against Riverdale High School on the Illinois side during the 31st annual Tugfest in 2017 between LeClaire and Port Byron. Riverdale out pulled Pleasant Valley 93.5 feet to 40.9 feet.
Tuggers with IBEU on the Iowa side, pull the rope against Edgebrooke Homes on the Illinois side in 2017.
Boaters tie up together to watch and party, Saturday,August 12, 2017, during the 31st annual Tugfest between LeClaire Iowa and Port Byron Illinois. This is the one and only time the Mississippi River is closed down during the year.
Spectators on the Iowa side cheer on their tuggers, Saturday, August 12, 2017, during the 31st annual Tugfest between LeClaire Iowa and Port Byron Illinois.
Tuggers with Snapp Fitness keep an eye on the mark in the sand as they pull against Duey's Corner Tap, Saturday, August 12, 2017, during the 31st annual Tugfest between LeClaire Iowa and Port Byron Illinois. Snapp Fitness won the tug 60 feet to 40.6 feet.
Members of Cassatt Drywall celebrate the first Iowa victory of the day against Knapp's Construction and Storage, Saturday,August 12, 2017, during the 31st annual Tugfest between LeClaire Iowa and Port Byron Illinois. Cassatt pulled 60.7 feet to Knapp's 52 feet.
Lady tuggers for First Central State Bank in LeClaire, pull the rope against Hillsdale Storage, Saturday,August 12, 2017, during the 31st annual Tugfest between LeClaire Iowa and Port Byron Illinois. Hillsdale won the pull 64 feet to 37.8 feet.
Illinois judge Brett McCormick keeps an eye on the pulling on the LeClaire side, Saturday, August 12, 2017, during the 31st annual Tugfest between LeClaire Iowa and Port Byron Illinois.
Iowa side cheering coach Alycia Kuberski of LeClaire keeps cool while giving instructions to IBEU tuggers as they pull against Edgebrooke Homes, Saturday, August 12, 2017, during the 31st annual Tugfest between LeClaire Iowa and Port Byron Illinois. Cassate won the pull 60.7 feet to 52 feet.
A male spectator uses his phone to capture the sites, Saturday,August 12, 2017, during the 31st annual Tugfest between LeClaire Iowa and Port Byron Illinois.
