Normally a sleepy little community nestled along U.S. Highway 12, Ethel was rife with the sounds of tractor motors this past weekend as 44 entrants from throughout the region brought their classic tractors out for tractor pull events and more during the third annual Olsen Field Progress Days festival.
Olsen Field Progress Days was started by property owner Ken Olsen along with members of the Cowlitz River Two-Cylinder Club, who wanted to keep the traditions from the long-standing Cowlitz Prairie Grange Threshing Bee in Toledo going.
The Threshing Bee was first held in 1964 and ended just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic after the property owners of the location where it used to be held did not renew the lease with the Cowlitz Prairie Grange for the land.
According to Cowlitz River Two-Cylinder Club President Matt Hamrick, of Chehalis, the club was already organizing the tractor pull competition for the Threshing Bee before that event was cancelled.
“Ken Olsen decided he wanted to keep it going, or start something different, so he started this,” Hamrick said. “But he needed some help so I came on board.”
Also involved in organizing Olsen Field Progress Days are members of the ABATE of Washington Lewis County Chapter.
“We’re just trying to make it all happen so everybody can have fun,” Hamrick added.
While hoping to organize and hold tractor pull competitions at other events in the future like the Southwest Washington Fair, Hamrick and the rest of the club’s members are just focused on growing Olsen Field Progress Days right now.
Olsen Field Progress Days will return next year again on the fourth weekend in August.
