Barrel races and tractors: Becker County Fair comes to a close on Saturday

Detroit Lakes , MN (KDLM) – The 2023 Becker County Fair came to a close on Saturday, but not before attendees were treated to cooler temperatures, nearly 80 tractors parading into the fairgrounds and the fair’s annual barrel races and demolition derby.

On Friday night, more than 15 automotive barrel racers took to the cement half-walled racing pit to the applause and cheers of a full grandstand of onlookers.

Josh Wurst of Frazee drives the Northwest Water Carnival raffle car in the Becker County Fair barrel races on July 28, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)

18-year-old Logan Strandberg, of Audubon, said, if the mud wasn’t too deep in the arena, he thinks his 1986 Ford F-150 will do quite well. 

He also had some advice for drivers who might want race against the barrels and stopwatch in the future.

Logan Strandberg of Audubon drives a 1986 Ford F-150 in the Becker County Fair barrel races on July 28, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)

An SUV drives in the Becker County Fair barrel races on July 28, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)

“Keep your momentum,” said Strandberg. “And don’t let the thing get the best of you.”

Music under the big tent on Friday featured the band Slapping Skeeters, which was largely made up by members of the Splonskowski family.

Saturday was Family Day at the Becker County Fair and featured the 14th annual tractor parade.

John Deere tractors parade into the Becker County Fairgrounds on July 29, 2023 as part of the 14th annual tractor parade. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)

John Deere tractors parade into the Becker County Fairgrounds on July 29, 2023 as part of the 14th annual tractor parade. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)

Nearly 80 tractors were entered into this year’s parade, which highlighted the different eras of John Deere tractors.

Lowell Schlauderaff of Detroit Lakes drove his grandfather’s 1939 John Deere Styled B tractor in the parade and said the tractor is now in its third generation of ownership and represents a link to their farming past.

“They bought it brand new in the fall of 1938, and brought it out to the farm, the first tractor on the farm” said Schlauderaff. “It was $900, split three ways.”

He said he also feels a familial responsibility to keep it in good working order and presentable for anyone who would want to see the 84-year-old machine.

“Being a family tractor, it was important for me and all of my siblings and my dad to keep it up and keep it around as long as we could,” he said. “I’ve restored it … but it’s a family tractor and I just love to have it around.”

A 1939 John Deere Styled B tractor sits at the Becker County Fairgrounds following the 14th annual tractor parade on July 29, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)

John Deere tractors are displayed at the Becker County Fairgrounds following the 14th annual tractor parade on July 29, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)

Schlauderaff also thought the John Deere theme was good idea because they were just as popular decades ago as they are today.

“I think that John Deeres are one of the most popular back then, and still today” said Schlauderaff. “Probably not the cheapest, but they are a standard in the industry, according to John Deere guys anyway.”

The fair closed on Saturday night with their annual demolition derby and Mike Hokanson under the big tent.