Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumnfest Steering Committee  P.O Box 574 Woonsocket, RI 02895

Date:       9/07/2017

Contact:  Joe Callahan       

AUTUMNFEST TUG O’ WAR RETURNS

 

 

 

Woonsocket - “MEGA War", New England’s Largest Tug O’ War Competition is gearing-up and will be held once again, during the Autumnfest Weekend at the World War II Veterans Memorial Park in Woonsocket, behind the basketball courts on Sunday, October 8, 2017. Pulling starts at 1:00pm, with team certifications (weight-ins) at 11:30am. Each pulling team is limited to 2,500lbs.

 

MEGA War is a very unique style of tug o’ war event as the participants are starting from either the prone or supine position. That unique style alone determines the type of participants it will take to become the Autumnfest MEGA War Champions. The rope utilized for this event is a former tugboat rope used to tow ships. The starting position required that the pullers either lay on their backs with their heads on the rope and hands on their chest or lay outward on the chest with the feet making contact with the rope. All pullers positions will be verified before the signal is given to the starting official. To win the double elimination event, pullers must spring-up, and pull the rope 1.5 feet. The Competition requires speed, agility, power, stamina and teamwork.

 

There will be two categories, Open (ages 18 & above) and High School. The high school category is limited to active enrolled students only.  The High School category is not limited to any amount of registered teams, per school. Each category shall be awarded a cash purse of $1,000 1^st place, $500 2^nd place, and $250 3rd place finishers, respectively. The High School purse must be accepted by an adult. This year’s competition is limited to the first (10) ten registered teams, in each category. Also, (5) five registered teams are required for the competition to take place, in each category. A 2,500-lbs. limit will be set for each team. Registered teams from past years have until September 8^th to re-register. After that date, open spots will be filled upon receiving team registration forms to accommodate the ten team limit.

 

The number of pullers shall be determined by the team’s 2,500-lbs.-weight limit. There are no co-ed restrictions. No substitutes are allowed. This is a double elimination competition. There is a $100.00 entry fee for the Open category ONLY; there is NO FEE for the High School category.

 

Registration forms and additional information are available upon request by either e-mailing Cheryl Savaria, Sporting Events Coordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. or by calling Richard Savaria at (401) 527-8959.

 

Autumnfest is a Family-Friendly Celebration now entering its 39^th year.  Autumnfest is held Every Columbus Day weekend (Oct. 7, 8 & 9) at World War II Veterans Memorial Park off Social Street in Woonsocket, RI.  Please visit our website at www.autumnfest.org.