Lifting weights is so yesterday.

If you really want to show off your strength try pulling a 12-tonne tractor.

Entries are now being accepted for this year’s Kalbar and District Community Bank Tractor Pulling Competition, which will be staged during the Winter Harvest Festival at Aratula on Saturday July 4.

Teams of 12 can enter for a chance to win a share of $3000 prize money for their favourite Scenic Rim sporting or community club. The team that pulls the 12-tonne John Deere tractor over 20m in the fastest time will win.

“This is a true test of man over machine,” says Scenic Rim Mayor John Brent.

“This is the third year we’ve hosted the tractor pulling event and the competition is set to be tougher than ever. We’ve already had our first entry – a team of police officers from the Ipswich-West Moreton district – and I know some local farmers have started their training regime too.”

Last year’s winners, the Kalfresh Vegetables team, is out to retain the title although some key members are out with injuries.

“We’ve been eating lots of carrots and some members have joined the new Boonah gym in preparation,” Kalfresh team co-ordinator Angus Stainlay said.

The tractor pulling fun isn’t confined to senior teams – junior teams of four competitors aged 10 to 14 have been invited to test their strength against a 1.8tonne Little Boomer tractor.

The Winter Harvest Festival will be staged at the Aratula Community Sports Complex from 10am to 4pm on Saturday July 4. It’s the signature event of Scenic Rim Eat Local Week, which runs during the school holidays from June 27 to July 5 and features farm tours, cooking classes, producer dinners and much more.

The Harvest Festival will feature producers and retailers from across the region, food stalls, hot and cold food, live music, free rides for children and a packed program of cooking demonstrations, including one by QAGOMA Executive Chef Josue Lopez.

To register your junior or senior team for the Kalbar and District Community Bank Tractor Pulling Competition DOWNLOAD this application form

For all the terms, conditions and prize information READ this flyer

Eat Local Week and the Winter Harvest Festival are supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland as part of a growing calendar of sporting, cultural and regional events throughout the state.

Download the full Eat Local Week program