WINDSOR — Keeping feet on the pedal was no mean feat Sunday for contestants in the Windsor Fair’s Kiddie Tractor Pull. Flip-flops made the going tough, as did short legs.
Several times organizers had to help the youngsters find the pedals and ask whether they wanted to give it another go.
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The winners, some of whom had to do a pull-off before achieving victory, got their choice of pedal-powered tractor.
The kiddie pull was only one of a slew of activities and exhibits offered Sunday at the fair, which continues for its final day today.
Sunday was children’s day and museum day at the nine-day fair.
The gray sky and light rain meant fewer people than usual flocked to the gates and strolled the paved sidewalks during the morning, but the weather began improving just about midday.
Tom Foster, Windsor Fair president, said he expected attendance to pick up as the sky cleared.
“We’re running about the same as last year,” he said Sunday as he watched his sons run the Kiddie Tractor Pull.
Drake Dumont, 4, of Albion, opted for a Case 1 tractor for his prize because of the heavy-duty treads on the small front wheels and large rear wheels.
Drake had little problem with the pull. His tiny work boots stayed firmly on the pedals, and his knees pumped up and down as if he was competing in a hill climb in the Tour de France.
He even had a fan club in one section of the open bleachers of Vanner Arena. Drake plowed straight, avoiding the tendency of some youngsters to veer off to the side.
Red-haired Elora Bogdanski, 3, of South Bristol, won the girls’ 25-to-35-pound category with a pull of 22 feet. Dad Toby said she likes to pedal her tricycle at home. “I have a scooter,” she said.
As Elora proudly pedaled her red prize tractor, sister and fellow redhead Kyndra, 5, waited her turn to compete.
Clara French, 5, of China, won the 36-to-45-pound category with a pull of 38 feet. She selected a blue New Holland tractor with a high front end, and wasn’t too tired to pedal it straight out of the arena and onto the sidewalk.
“We have a barn that we practice in,” Clara said. Her older brother, who stood next to her with a big grin, said he helped her hone her skills.
Megan Choate, of South Gardiner, wore a sparkly pink tutu over white leggings, hoping the skirt would give her extra pedal power in the 36-to-45-pound category.
Some contestants proved a little shy once they were introduced in the arena, deciding to run to Mom or Dad rather than compete.
All the boys got a large, bright green ribbon for participating; the girls’ ribbons were pink.
At the main museum building on the fairgrounds, Tom Doore, of Augusta, and Jim Piper, of Windsor, staffed the information desk.
The spectators wandered in, checking out the printing shop and talking to women in Civil War-era dress.
“We had 1,910 people through yesterday,” Doore said.
The museum area of the fairgrounds consists of a number of buildings, including a schoolhouse and a blacksmith shop.
Piper said some parents tell their children that the rows of Remington, Corona, L.C. Smith and Underwood manual typewriters in the front case at the museum were the precursors of today’s computers.
The children are in doubt, he said, until they get a closer look at the arrangement of the keys.
The museum portion is open during the Windsor Fair and for other special events.
Once the Windsor Fair closes tonight, fairgoers’ attention will turn to the Litchfield Fair, which starts Friday, and the Clinton Lions Agricultural Fair, which starts Thursday.
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