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 traveling alabaster trophy. Port Byron, the 2016 champion, holds an overall record of 21-11 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. The women on the Illinois side are the only undefeated team in Tug Fest history. Will B. Rolling Will B. Rolling is the name of a 30' high statue of a rider perched atop his Penny-farthing. Erected on November 13, 2013 along the Great River Trail in Port Byron, the statue was a gift to the village from former mayor Lawrence Bay and his wife Carol. The "Will B. Rolling" statue was inspired by, and made from the same mold as, a statue named "Ben Bikin'" in Sparta, Wisconsin, and each year in October there is a bicycle-ride event from Port Byron to Sparta, called the "Will to Ben." On April 25, 2014 River Action awarded Will B. Rolling the 2014 Eddy Award for Art. Port Byron Online The official city website is located on the internet at www.portbyronil.com. Notable person Bill Malarkey, MLB pitcher for the New York Giants References External links Village of Port Byron, Illinois website Port Byron, Illinois Great River Tug Fest Port Byron, Illinois Facebook page Villages in Rock Island County, Illinois Villages in Illinois Cities in the Quad Cities Populated places established in 1828 Illinois populated places on the Mississippi River