Organisers of Welshpool’s Illuminated Tractor Run have confirmed that this year’s event will be the last due to the increasing difficulties of arranging it.

The fourth illuminated tractor run in Welshpool is expected to welcome hundreds of festively decorated tractors to the town for a fundraising event, but organisers Kevin and Jenny Clarke have confirmed that the 2024 event will be their last.

The couple cited the “increasing difficulties” or arranging it, with fewer volunteers each year for an event that continues to grow in size.

Jenny said: “Welshpool’s Illuminated Tractor Run is believed to be the largest in Powys with solely tractors. Our success hasn’t gone unnoticed locally and further afield but we feel now is the right time to hang up our event organising hats.

“We decided this year would be the last, as over the last three years it’s become increasingly difficult to arrange, and with less and less volunteers each year, it becomes harder to keep it a safe event.

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“Organising an event this size starts early in the year and eats into a lot of our family time and with personal circumstances changing too it’s becoming harder to keep on top of it all single handed.

“We would rather be able to enjoy the organising without it becoming a chore so with that in mind we feel we can enjoy one more year of organising and then we can enjoy other illuminated tractor runs in and around the area.”

The 2023 event was the largest run yet, as over 200 tractors adorned with festive decorations hit the roads of Powys for a tour of some nearby towns and villages, starting and ending at Welshpool Livestock Market.

On whether more volunteers could keep the festival going, Jenny added: “In the past we’ve plenty of volunteers come forward. We’ve held meetings and delegated roles, only to have dropouts at the last minute, which just creates more work.

"It just goes to show how time consuming it is when it comes to organising something like this.

“We are very thankful to everyone who has supported the events over the past few years, and to all our volunteers and sponsors, and we hope people will come out to support us one more time for hopefully the biggest illuminated tractor run yet.”

The final Welshpool Illuminated Tractor Run will be held on December 8, with funds going towards the Farming Community Network.