The 127th Big Rock Plowing Match and Festival — one of the longest running festivals in the area — rolled through town over the weekend after a one-year hiatus.

Last year was just the fifth time in its long history that the event was canceled, sidelined by the coronavirus pandemic. Previously only because of heavy rain and World War II prevented it from being held, said organizers, who were excited to welcome back the three-day event.

The big draws were the rolling of a 1,500-pound bale of straw with a person riding atop it and the plowing match at Davis Field across from Plowman’s Park, but the festival also included a craft, art and vendor show, petting zoo, train rides, horse show, live music, a bags tournament, and exhibits in the Junior & Ladies Fair buildings.

Amusement rides were limited to just Friday night because of financial limitations.

Denise Farrugia, of Big Rock, a Plowing Match Association board member and chair of the Ladies Fair, said they are extremely grateful for the fest’s return, which “is based on a Welsh tradition of having a plowing competition.”

“There is a good amount of Welsh ancestry in this community. One of our cemeteries is called The Welsh,” she said.

And it’s a tradition for more than just the local residents, Farrugia said.

“We have people coming from Tennessee who are trailering up their tractor. I believe it’s the fifth generation in their family and their daughter will be plowing for the first time,” she said.

More than 100 plowers were signed up to compete, and would be judged on the quality of their plowing, Farrugia said. Contestants start with 100 points and the goal to avoid having points deducted.

“They lose points based on straightness, neatness, the depth and the width. That’s how they retain their points over the seven rows they complete,” she said. “For

multigenerational families that come here, the plowing match in the main attraction.”

Viewers were in different spots on Saturday morning as the plow matches began. Marty Sliwa, of Burlington, came in a vintage car and said he comes “pretty much every year” to see the matches.

“We used to plow on the farm but now it no-till pretty much,” he said. “I don’t have family here, I just come out here to watch this. It’s a lot of fun and it’s for young and old and maybe the kids will catch on and follow the tradition — hopefully. Everything is changing these days.”

Jose Vazquez, of Chicago, said he’s “been away from the plowing match for maybe 25 years now” but wanted to come back to hang out with family.

“My son invited us and we decided to come,” he said. “I used to come every year when I was young. I’d come with my grandfather and this is about memories.”

Anna Thomas, of Batavia, said her family “was one of the founders of the plowing match” and that she and her sister, Leah, were there watching their uncle, Jerry Thomas, drive a tractor while his younger brother Dale — Anna’s dad - was helping direct him.

“Our family started the plowing match. Our great-grandfather was one of the founding presidents,” Anna Thomas said. “It’s a legacy. I don’t know why people come to this, but it’s in our blood. People like to see something interesting and different and it’s kind of a history of the area as well.”

Meanwhile at the vendor and amusement area, others like Cody Leffelman and his wife Ashley, of Hinckley, came with their young son for the second time, having dropped in the night before.

“I came here when I was a little kid,” Cody Leffelman said. “We just moved to Hinckley two years ago and our son goes to Hinckley-Big Rock Elementary School and they put some artwork into the fair. We’re going to watch the plowing matches after we walk down by the horses.”

David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.