Bigdog's Buckeye Cub Tug

08/12/2026

So far the rain hasn’t dampened their spirits. Always a good show.

08/05/2026

The Cub Tug story began in 2005 at Ohio CubFest in Stoutsville. By 2006 it proudly carried the name Bigdog’s Buckeye Cub Tug. After wrapping up its Stoutsville chapter in 2011 and transitioning in 2012, the Tug roared back to life in Somerset in 2013—its home ever since.

Cub Tug Winners over the years.

2026
Event rained out; no winner this year

2025
Perry DiFranco, driver;
Eric King, owner
(Buddy)

2025 Youth Division
Michael Miller, driver;
Eric King, owner
(Buddy)

2024
Barry Souders, driver;
Eric King, owner
(Buddy)

2024 Youth Division
Dylan Surbaugh, driver;

2023
Darrell Michael Ratliff, driver;
Doug Miller, owner
(Lafayette)

2023 Youth Division
Levi Hanlon, driver;

2022
Mike Surbaugh, driver;
John Martin, owner
(The Little Cub That Could)

2022 Youth Division
Dylan Surbaugh, driver;
John Martin, owner
(The Little Cub That Could)

2021
Butch Whited, driver and owner;

2020
Rylan Myers, driver;
Bonnie Miller, owner
(Uncle Bill)

2019
Eric King, driver and owner
(Buddy)

2018
John Martin, driver and owner
(The Little Cub That Could)

2017
David Cole, driver and owner
(Put Put)

2016
Doug Miller, driver and owner
(Elwood)

2015
Matt Snider, driver;
Doug Miller, owner
(Ugly)

2014
Matt Snider, driver;
Doug Miller, owner
(Ugly)

2013
Jeff Silvey, driver
Larry Gray, owner

2012
No Tug (Transition year from Stoutsville to Somerset)

2011
Grayson Fisher, driver and owner

2010
Kelley Hulsey, driver and owner
(Pistol)

2009
Denny Clayton, driver and owner
(Rusty)

2008
Bill Weisbrodt, driver and owner
(Susie Q)

2007
Ron Whiting, driver;
Denny Clayton, owner
(Rusty)

2006
Kim Hale, driver;
Rick Prentice, owner
(Ugly)

2005 (Cubfest)
George Willer, driver and owner
(Rambo)

08/04/2026

2026 Bigdog’s Buckeye Cub Tug – Thank You

Even though we experienced our first rainout in 21 years, the 2026 Bigdog's Buckeye Cub Tug & CubFest Reunion was still a wonderful success. The weather may have washed out the pull, but it didn’t dampen the spirit, fellowship, or hard work that makes this event what it is. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves as much as we did.

This weekend happens because of good people who show up, pitch in, and give their best. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the following:

• John R. Ratliff – for managing the kitchen and every meal with steady hands and endless patience.
• Derek & Symon Howard – for the Sam’s Club shopping runs and for manning the kitchen all weekend.
• Jane King – for being everywhere she was needed, exactly when she was needed.
• McCauley Farms – for providing the eggs for noodles and all of the breakfasts.
• Xavior and Zander Weisbarth – for helping with setup and taking care of the Sheridan Soccer Club lunch on Saturday.
• Bill Weisbrodt – for coming early, helping with setup, mowing, and making the grounds look presentable.
• Chase Bailey – for pitching in with the mowing.
• Jeanne, our neighbor – for putting up with us all year long and then coming over to work her tail off during the Cub Tug.
• Tom Tootle Tootle’s Karaoke – for providing Friday night entertainment and keeping the barn lively.
• Gary Turnes – for loaning his loader tractor when ours went down the week of the Tug.
• Rusty Davis – for providing the pull back tractor.
• Mack Seagro – for being ready to set up the trackside sound system.
• The Snider Family – for being “Johnny on the spot” and taking care of anything that needed doing.
• The Village of Somerset & the Somerset Memorial Park Board – for allowing us to use the park and pulling track.
• Matt Snider – for preparing the track.
• Southeastern Ohio Garden Tractor Pullers Association, Greg Myers & Carl Myers – for donating the pulling sled. As Greg said, at least it’s winterized now for next year.
• JJ Han and Sandy Baker – for sticking around on Sunday, helping move tractors, cleaning up, and storing everything away for next year.
• Darrell Ratliff and Janet Ratliff – for everything you do, for helping get this started, and for inspiring us on this journey.
• Bonnie – for putting up with me and indulging me in all of my interests.

And of course, none of this would have been worth doing if folks didn’t show up and bring their Cubs. Thank you for coming and making it a fun weekend, even with the rain. We truly hope to see everyone again toward the end of July next year as we keep this tradition going strong.

08/03/2026

🌧️ Even though the Cub Tug was a rainout… the CubFest sure wasn’t! 🚜

For the first time in 21 years, the Cub Tug got rained out — but if there’s one thing this community knows how to do, it’s make the best of a soggy Saturday. We still had a great turnout, and folks packed into the barn visiting, laughing, swapping stories, and playing games while we waited for the weather to give us a break.

A big shout out to the Sheridan Soccer Team, who moved their track side lunch into the barn and nearly sold out. They rolled with the changes like pros, and the food was fantastic.

Even without the pull, the weekend was full of good people, good food, and good Cub fellowship. Plenty of projects were finished, and the swap area stayed busy from start to finish. That’s the kind of spirit that has kept this event going strong for more than two decades. ❤️

Thanks to everyone who came out and helped turn a rainout into a memorable day. We hope to see everyone again next year.

08/01/2026

A rain delay is currently in effect, and we will wait at the Millers until the weather improves. Hopefully, it clears within the hour.

07/31/2026

07/31/2026

A busy first unofficial day is in the books. Several projects were knocked out, including a split to change out a throwout bearing. We filled up the room we reserved at the Clay Haus and had to bring in extra chairs. So far, we have attendees from Colorado, Nebraska, Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, and New York.

Remember breakfast is at 9.