Editing Port Byron, Illinois (section)

== Tug Fest ==
The event of the year in this small town is the Great River Tug Fest, held since 1987 on the second full weekend in August.  Following a fireworks display on Friday night, the [[Mississippi River]] is closed on Saturday afternoon.  The tug-of-war is made up of 10 men teams of 20 and one woman's team of 25. After a large rope is pulled across the river to [[Le Claire, Iowa]], a [[tug of war]] takes place. The side with the most wins gets bragging rights for the year, along with the traveling alabaster trophy. Port Byron, the 2016 champion, holds an overall record of 21–11 in the competition. The rope used for the tug is 2700 feet in length and weighs about 700&nbsp;lbs. Tug Fest is the only event in the United States that allows the Mississippi River to be closed down. The Illinois women are the only undefeated team in Tug Fest history.<ref>[http://www.tugfest.org www.tugfest.org]</ref>