The International Tug of War: Pulling for Peace between the United States and Canada has the potential to promote peace universally, say coordinators.

The event is scheduled for July 2, a date again proclaimed by the Prime Minister of Canada as National Peaceful Borders Day, according to a news release from the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.

For the sixth consecutive year, the peace trophy is up for grabs by Team U.S.A. or Team Canada in The event is set for 5 p.m. July 2, when 1,500 feet of rope will be pulled across the Rainy River between the sister cities of International Falls and Fort Frances.

Not only do the annual tugs celebrate peace, they have helped build important relationships between the communities and are a lot of fun, says International Falls City Councilor Cynthia Jaksa.

Jaksa said both cities recruit citizens and strong athletes on each side of the border for a friendly competition aimed at promoting bilateral benefits and swelling patriotism.

Canada and the United States share the longest undefended border in the world.

The proposal to declare July 2 International Peaceful Borders Day was sent to both U.S. Pres. Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Harper, with Harper honoring the request for the second consecutive year.

The date for the annual event was chosen because it falls between two national holidays – Canada Day, July 1, and U.S. Independence Day, July 4. It is an effort to promote harmony by celebrating the peaceful border enjoyed between the two countries. The proclamation calls on “…all citizens of both Canada and the United States to pause on this day to appreciate the blessings of good friends and good neighbors across peaceful borders…”

The July 2 International Falls tug celebration will again include local cheerleaders and a free meal for the community while country bluegrass music is performed by the local Sloughgrass Band. This year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2948 Color Guard will also remind citizens of the fortunes of freedom when it leads into a local performance of America’s national anthem.

Pullers

Canada and the U.S. are honored this year that Team Canada will include the Canadian Consul General in Minneapolis, Jamshed Merchant. Merchant’s visit will also include meetings with local officials on both sides of the border in an effort to increase economic development in both countries which have been hit with downturns in the past year.

Merchant has told organizers he is eager to reach out to Minnesotans and sees this event as a prime opportunity to do so, said to Jaksa. She adds that Merchant wants to discover what it means to share a border and what it could mean for economic development.

Minnesota Vikings alumnus Greg Coleman was recently named captain to head up Team U.S.A. Returning for his third tug of war, Coleman will share duties with fellow Vikings alumnus and Falls native son Frank Youso.

Vikings mascot “Ragnar” will also pull for Team U.S.A. and joins Dallas Cowboy alumnus Rod Jefferson, returning for his second year.

“We traveled all the way from Atlanta, Georgia last year just to be rained out,” Jefferson told organizers. “We’re looking forward to show Canada what we’ve got this year.”

Of the past five scheduled international tug-of-war events, Canada took the trophy three times; the U.S.A. won once; and last year a severe storm caused a cancellation just as competitors began to assemble.

The newest NFL and Vikings member to the tug team, Carl Eller brings with him the daunting title of “Purple People Eater.” Eller was a major factor in the defensive line that terrorized quarterbacks in the 1970s.

“When I retired from football, I hung up my jersey, but not my competitive spirit,” Eller, a 2004 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, told organizers.

Other celebrities who will be “Pulling for Peace” are Minnesota Vikings Stu Voigt, NHL alumnus Neil Sheehy, Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and local athletes Billy “The Kid” Christianson, Nick Reece and brothers Jake and Matt Youso.

“It’s great to come back home and represent International Falls in this fun and unique event,” Sheehy told organizers. “As a professional hockey player, I competed hard internationally and I will do the same again on July 2. Where else can you stretch a 1,500-ft. rope across a river and pull against another country? I hope we can get International Falls fired up and beat Canada this July as we all celebrate Borderland and Independence Day.”

Event details

The event rallies at 4 p.m. with live music and autograph signing.

A welcome ceremony by International Falls Mayor Anderson, which will include both countries’ anthems, begins at 5 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m., the competition starts with the celebrity pull featuring the notable athletes and dignitaries. Following the celebrity pull will be the community pull with participants drawn from the crowd. The final “power pull” of recruited strong men and women will determine the winner of the traveling trophy which currently resides in Canada.

The event will conclude with the sharing of a complimentary supper for all of the community.

To participate on the competitive U.S.A. power pull, contact Barb Owen-Boerger at powerpullusa@gmail.com , or call the Chamber of Commerce at 218-283-9400, or register by completing the form at www.pullingforpeace.org.