What started out in the mid-1980s as a chainsaw demonstration has grown into a popular Myerstown community event.
Myerstown’s annual East End Days will be held this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 15 and 16, at Ebling’s Service Plus, 730 E. Lincoln Ave.
“This is the 37th year,” Elias Null, marketing director for Ebling’s, told LebTown.
“When it started out, we were primarily a chainsaw shop, plus some small mowers. It basically started as a demonstration of what chainsaws could do,” he said. “We’ve been in biz 80 years this year. As the lawn mower market grew, we started doing tractor pulls. The event grew from there.”
Ebling’s, which today specializes in outdoor lawn and power equipment, hosts the family-friendly event along with Witmer’s Clothing, and Martin Appliance.
“It’s all about promoting good will in the community, for the community,” Null said. “Just bringing us together for a good time … and supporting local businesses. Reminding the community who we are, and that we’re here for each other.”
The event features pedal tractor and garden tractor pulls on Friday night, antique tractor pulls and an antique equipment show on Saturday morning. There will also be food trucks, plus a tent sale and food tent at Witmer’s Clothing, 725 E. Lincoln Ave.
“It’s a pretty simple event,” Null said. “We’re keeping it basically the same as it’s been.”
On Friday, registration opens at 4:30 p.m. for garden tractors. Cost for participating is $10 per hook, Null said. Garden tractor pulls start at 6 p.m.
“For safety, please use factory hitch or use these guidelines. Hitch height shall be a minimum of 1″ below center axle line and the maximum height shall be 10″ from ground,” the website explains. “No prizes – just a good time among friends!”
Afterwards, kids pedal tractor pulls begin at 7, with no charge for participants 11 years old or younger.
“Friday night is the real banger of a crowd. We get 2,000 to 5,000 people,” Null said.
“A lot of the young kids like to pull their dad’s lawnmower,” he said. “We also get a lot of custom tractors showing up. It teaches kids about custom engines … they tinker at home, then bring them out.”
Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. Saturday for the antique tractor pulls, which begin at 9. Cost is $15 per hook, and participants must be 16 years or older or accompanied by a parent or guardian.
According to the website, antique tractors “will pull using a weight transfer sled with classes starting at 2,500 lbs. up to 9,500 lbs. Honor system of tractor weights – come with accurate weight ratings. Maximum hitch height is 20″ and minimum length of 24″ from center of rear axle.”
Admission to the event is free, Null said. “We eat the costs in house to support the community.”
Besides, he added, “the weather looks great. It looks like it will be the best we’ve had for years.”
Accuweather says the Myerstown area can expect a nice day “with plenty of sunshine” on Friday, with highs in the mid-70s. There will be more of the same on Saturday, although with a few more clouds in the sky.
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