SEDGEWICKVILLE -- Crowds were smaller this year at the annual Sedgewickville Labor Day Picnic sponsored by the Sedgewickville Fire Protection District.

Those who did attend, though, were treated to good food, good fun, and lots of politics.

"This picnic is the kick-off for the campaign season," said Bill Hopkins, candidate for the Associate Circuit Court Judge's position in Bollinger County. "For a candidate, this is the best place to meet people. I really like Sedgewickville.

"This is a great place to finally meet the public in the northern part of Bollinger County," said Kenny Trentham, candidate for the Bollinger County Presiding Commissioner position. "I get to watch the tractor pull, enjoy some fine food and ask the people for their vote come November."

And the tractor pull was the main event of the picnic again this year. Classed by weight, the tractors attempted to pull the heavily loaded sled farther than their competition.

"This is a lot of fun, since I like old tractors," said "Porky" Devenport of Scopus. "When I was a little kid, we had one a lot like this one on the farm."

"This one" refers to his Ferguson tractor. Tractors of all periods and sizes participated in the pulls. Many had been restored with loving care and hours of hard work by their owners.

"Events like this give me a chance to drive my old tractor," said Devenport. "I'm blessed that my wife likes my hobby too."

But tractor pulls aren't a "men's only" competition.

"This is one of the best ways I know to just have fun," said Pat Bollinger of Mayfield. She competed with her 1945 Allis-Chalmers B tractor, decorated with "Grandma's Toy" along the side.

"I might just win with this tractor," said Bollinger.

"Tractor pulls like this give everyone a chance to see these old tractors," said Bollinger County Presiding Commissioner Elwood Mouser. "These tractors are the kind that I drove when I was young."

Local officials stated that next year's picnic is already planned to be "bigger and better" than this year's.