Packin’ power to entertain kids for 2 decades
With his tongue sticking out and putting all his might into it, a youngster from Medford pedals his way to the finish line during the Steele County Free Fair last summer.
-Rick Scholbrock, Pedal Pull Operator
Every summer for 20 years, Rick Scholbrock has fulfilled his greatest passion through his company, Kid Power Pedal Pulls. Working out of a small Northern Iowa town, Scholbrock is famously known, and likely to be recognized by anyone attending a local fair, as the “kids’ tractor pull guy.” He and his team travel across four states hosting dozens of tractor pull events for competitors ages 4 through 11 each year from April through October.
Lifelong Ellendale resident Al Lee remembers that 18 years ago, while attending the Steele County Free Fair, he saw Scholbrock running one of his events. “I said we need to bring something exciting to Ellendale Days. This was that something," said Lee.
Besides the Steele County Fair, Scholbrock has entertained children at Ellendale Days, Blooming Prairie’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July, New Richland’s Farm and City Days and the Waseca County Fair.
Scholbrock has earned statewide recognition and was featured on Good Morning America, but he says recognition is not the reason he does what he does.
“At the end of every day, I know I made 24 kids happy,” Scholbrock says with a wide grin as he gestures to a rack of trophies. “Bill Gates has nothing on me except maybe his billions of dollars. Money can’t buy you this level of happiness.”
Scholbrock spoke for a long time about great memories he’s had along the way. His company trailer is neatly kept and includes a small billboard with pictures and drawings, some of which come from fans.
“There’s one girl, whenever we come to her hometown, she comes and yells. 'Grandpa, Grandpa,' and gives me a hug,” Scholbrock explains. “Parents thank me all the time for providing this experience for their young kids. This girl came to her first pull at the age of four and has been back every year since.”
That same girl gave Scholbrook a drawing, which hangs on that billboard today.
Scholbrook is from Hanlontown, Iowa, about 45 minutes south of Ellendale, where he has been mayor for more than 30 years. He first learned of pedal pulling at a local fair he was attending with his family. At the time, his daughter, now 26 and the operator of her own pedal pull business, was only 4 and participated in her first kid power event. From there she went on to win 28 national titles and multiple international championships. Scholbrock said there are no longer any international events, but the national competition spans 22 states.
The cost to get Scholbrock and crew to a local event isn’t so high, and oftentimes is paid for through local sponsors, or in the case of Ellendale, through the local fire department. “Now people can see where their fish fry money goes,” Ellendale fire fighter Shawn Larson joked.
Larson’s daughter performed well in her leg of the race, taking first in her age category. Scholbrock can confirm something happened for the first time ever at this year’s Ellendale Days, held mid-June. “I don’t get to say this often, but you got smoked by a girl,” Scholbrock joked. “I think today was a record for us, five times a girl won today.
“And don’t forget to have Mom or Dad fill out your slip,” Scholbrock reminds participants. “Even if you don’t go, that can qualify you for the state competition."
He will be at the Steele County Fair on Friday, Aug. 19.
Scholbrock can be reached via his company’s Facebook page Kid Power Pedal Pulls, by phone 641-425-6211, or by email: htwnmayor@wctatel.net.