International Falls officials believe they have figured out the key to successfully beating Canada in the Pulling for Peace tug-of-war contest, scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. July 2 at the Pat Roche landing by Voyageurs National Park Headquarters.
An autograph session is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
The city recently recruited Ragnar, the Minnesota Vikings mascot, to participate on the celebrity tug team.
“The problem last year is the Vikings just didn’t bring their mascot,” said Falls Mayor Shawn Mason. “Now that Ragnar has agreed to come, the Vikings and Team USA are a cinch to beat Canada this year.”
Ragnar warned the competition would be high.
"Over 1,000 years ago, my ancestors came over from Greenland through the Hudson Bay and Lake Winnipeg and up the Red River to Minnesota," he said in a release. "Some of my cousins still live in Gimli, Manitoba, so we can't take the Canadians lightly if they bring their warriors with true Viking blood in their veins."
Joining Ragnar at the rope are returning pullers and Viking alumni Frank Youso, Matt Blair, Stu Voigt, and Greg Coleman.
Also expected to help bring the celebrity team to a hopeful win are mixed martial arts fighters Billy Christianson and Nick Reece; hockey players Matt Youso and Jake Youso; Minnesota Sen. Tom Bakk; WDIO news anchor Katey Rusch, Journal editor Laurel Beager, as well as Mason, city Administrator Rod Otterness, International Falls city councilors Tim “Chopper” McBride, Paul Eklund, Gail Rognerud and Cynthia Jaksa.
Otterness told The Journal Monday that unfortunately Gov. Mark Dayton and Viking alumnus John Swain, who were scheduled to participate, are unable to attend the event.
In addition to the celebrity pull, there will also be a community pull and a power pull. The community pull will consist of 40 men and women and the power pull will have 50 of the stronger pullers taking the rope. Otterness said there is still room on the power pull team and physically strong as well as high-spirited Americans are asked to join in by contacting the Falls Chamber of Commerce at 283-9400.
The July 2 annual event is known as “International Peaceful Borders Day” in Fort Frances and International Falls and is held between the international sister cities.
Canada won the event in 2011 and Mason said, “We need the help of strong American women and men to get back the trophy the U.S.A. lost to Canada in 2011. I do not want our country to lose two years in a row.”
Canada and the United States share the longest undefended border in the world. International Peaceful Borders Day is an effort to promote peace throughout the world by celebrating the peaceful border enjoyed between the United States and Canada.
Organizers encourage the community to come take part in the event. Falls High School cheerleaders will be cheering on and encouraging the pullers.
