Look At The History Of Tugfest Before The Big Battle This Weekend

Tugfest is this weekend in LeClaire, Iowa, and it will be filled with a carnival, parade, food, drink, games, live music, and fun for everyone.

But before it turned into the full weekend family affair, it was just some people pulling a rope across the river.

James Dolan found some pics of his "old man," Bob Dolan, and wanted to share them and dedicate this to him.

James said, "My old man and his boys. Practice at the LeClaire ball diamonds in jean shorts and work boots, then they'd pull for real from the River View Roadhouse straight across the river against Port Byron."

He said the name of the team was THE LONG AWESOME LINE.

"This wasn't a gym. No gloves, no matching shirts, sunburnt as hell, hands taped up with whatever was around. Just Iowa river rats who weren't about to get dragged across the Mississippi by Illinois," concluded James in his tribute to his dad Bob.

James Dolan

James Dolan

Now get out and enjoy Tugfest in 2026!

Friday – August 14, 2026

• Levee Opens at 6:00 PM
• Admission $10 Adult (17+)
• Admission $5 Youth (10-16)
• Admission FREE for 9 & Under

4:30 pm - Parade Line-Up begins (LeClaire Fire Station)

5:00 pm - Community Tailgate Party (LeClaire Baptist Church parking lot)

6:00 pm - Grand Parade (Theme: The Greatest Pull on Earth / Circus)

8:00 pm - Live Music: Dirt Road Rockers

9:30 pm - Fireworks!!

Saturday – August 15, 2026

• Levee Opens at 9:30 AM
• Admission $10 Adult (17+)
• Admission $5 Youth (10-16)
• Admission FREE for 9 & Under

10:00 am - Tugger Registration for Adults (Tug Pit)

10:00 am - Kids’ Pull (9:30 am sign up at Tug Pit)

11:30 am – 3:00 pm - LeClaire vs. Port Byron (Tug Pit)

Plus the carnival, bags tournament, more live music, and plenty more to do at Tugfest.  You can check out the ultimate Tugfest Guide here!