Although it wasn't my plan, I spent my Monday helping tie loose ends from the West Texas Fair Truck and Tractor Pull. By four in the afternoon, there was almost no evidence that we had ever been there.

I would like to mention a few vendors who helped with the 2010 show:
Abilene Performance Car Association
Abilene New Holland/Kubota
Quality Implement
Yellowhouse
Abilene Rental Center
Templeton Equipment
Corley-Wetsel Freightliner
Fulgrum Performance Specialities
Larry's Better Burger
Olney Bros. Trucking
(I hope I didn't leave any one out!)

The buzz was still buzzing yesterday about the show. Trc worked in the front Lemonade stand Saturday at the fair, which she says usually isn't as busy. Unless there is a tractor pull going on! They were selling Lemonades 20 and 25 cups at a time! They ran out of supplies twice during Saturday afternoon and evening! K.O. visited with the Fair GM and she was beaming. She and the Fair board were already trying to figure out another day, more seating and a larger area for the pull!

At lunch yesterday K.O. and I went to the Better Burger and slipped in the back door. Every day, friends family and regular customers meet in a small area and indulge in a better burger, hot off the grill and whatever conversation the topic of the day happened to be. As you might imagine that topic was the tractor pull.

In one odd occurrence a gentleman walked in and after ordering, began his own report on the pull. One of his first comments was "I don't know who ya'll had announcing, but he was very good!" I don't know who was more embarrassed, me or him. But it did make me feel good!

Hard to believe 26 years ago I announced my first show out of necessity for the Roscoe Young Men's Association (Previously the Roscoe Jaycees). It would be interesting to know how many miles I have driven and flown over the years, working for promoters from New Jersey to Louisiana, to Arizona to Washington state. I've only been stiffed one time in all those shows. Walked out of the arena and my rental car (provided by the promoter) was gone (So was the promoter). It was no surprise the following day when I had to catch a ride to the airport! Luckily the plane ticket was non-refundable! Favorite show was probably Greely, Colorado. Not because of the show but because of the families promoting it! Those people went out of their way to keep me entertained!

BUT, grassroots pulling is BEST! The small town shows benefiting local clubs and causes.

K.O., D.O. and myself visited some about where to take the Fair Pull next. The logical thing is to add a second day. That would mean a Saturday evening show with a Sunday matinee. Don't need to go up against Friday night football in Texas! The next possibility would be to add local 4 X 4 trucks and stock farm tractors. The theory is simple. The more people involved, the spectator base expands. As the local classes grow, run qualifying sessions (shorter sessions on weekdays of the fair) and then on the closing weekend of the fair bring all the top ones in for a pull off! I think this coupled with an antique pull might be a good draw to close the fair. An antique show would go all day long!

Well, I had a report Sunday from Roscoe. We received another rain blessing! Just under an inch. Excellent!

Well, it is back to the grindstone today!

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for a successful weekend. I ask YOUR continued blessings as I make other hard decisions. FATHER I lift up Rebecca and Joe for YOUR miracles of healing. I lift up Jimmy Moore's family for YOUR gifts of comfort. YOU are in control.