Lakeside Pullers is a non-profit pulling club located in Ram Bay at 1425 Hamilton Road, Manning, South Carolina. Lakeside pullers are similar to truck pulls and tractor pulls, but they only pull lawn garden tractors, v8 pulling tractors, and motorcycle pulling tractors. They pull a sled 300 feet and the person who pulls the farthest wins a personalized trophy made by Allen Smith. An average pulling season is from April to November, and they pull on the first and third Saturday of the month. Anyone from the age of 2-80 can be seen pulling in these events with about 50 members in the club. A couple of families, including the McLeod family, got together and were the ones who created the club. They have been pulling for over 10 years. They have pulled in Panola, SC and Summerton, SC, and they have had their current location in Ram Bay for about 4 years now. The land is owned by club members, Lakeside Pullers. Bobby Grimsley is the president of Lakeside pullers and Robert McLeod is also a huge aspect and contributes to The Lakeside Pullers. They’re in charge of the events that take place and out-of-town trips. Cindy Barrett is the announcer for the events and also controls their Facebook account @lakesidepullers. They have another club in Loris, SC called East Coast Pullers that also comes up to pull with lakeside pullers.
“We usually have a good amount of tractors,” said Barrett, “The majority of the tractors used in the events are built. We just find an old lawnmower and strip it down to the frame and build it up.”
They have travelled to many states for away pulls such as Georgia and Florida. Every year, they go to Aiken, SC fairgrounds in May and October. They also go to Heath Springs, SC in September for their fall festival. Anyone is welcome to join Lakeside pullers as long as they meet the rules and requirements for the division/class they are pulling in. It is $10 per hook/pull, and you get two pulls. Spectators are welcome to watch for free.
“Anyone is welcome to join, it is not just limited to club members,” said Barrett.
All of the money made goes back into the track and donated to fundraisers. In 2019 they collected many donations and were able to send a check of $4,576 to the Turbeville Children’s home. Despite COVID in 2020, they were still able to give yet another $4,000 to the Turbeville children’s home. The money was divided within each child in the home and they received Walmart gift cards.
“This is all done from the heart,” said Barrett.
Covid has impacted many of the pulls for the lakeside pullers.
“Our 2020 pulling year we were not able to pull until October- November, and we only had a few pulls,” said Barrett.
“A Lot of it was for safety reasons as well as some members getting over COVID 19,” said Barrett.
Their Next event is April 10 at their home track. Another big event they’re looking forward to is May 1st at Aiken fairgrounds. Many other clubs are coming to the fairgrounds to attend as well. Two clubs out of Georgia and the antique tractors from the Aiken area are expected to attend and pull. There is currently no definite schedule for their home tracks. For further information check their Facebook @ lakeside pullers for more information following their schedule.
