red and green fireworks explode over Mississippi Golf Balls

Green and red fireworks explode over the Mississippi river in Leclaire in scott county Iowa before a local annual Tug of War or Tug Fest over the river. between Le Claire and Port Byron ( Rock Island County ) Illinois. The event of the year in this small town is the Great River Tug Fest, held since 1987 on the second 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 travelling alabaster trophy. Port Byron, the 2014 champion, holds an overall record of 17-11 in the competition. The rope used for the tug is 2700 feet in length and weighs about 700 lbs. Tug Fest is the only event in the United States that allows the Mississippi River to be closed down. Illinois has won the past six years, including three years being clean sweeps by winning all 11 tugs of war. The women on the Illinois side are the only undefeated team in Tug Fest history.