Fans of vintage technology and history will take great delight in the upcoming 26th annual Tractor and Machinery show at the Ag Society grounds June 3-4.
“The main object of the show is to show people the older machinery that they farmed with 50 years ago or sometimes less,” said Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club member Phil Colbourne, who is one of the organizers.
He estimated that there would be between 70-90 pieces of machinery on hand for the show.
While much of the lineup is still up in the air, he noted that he was bringing in his own vintage machines.
On tap for the two-day extravaganza is a threshing demo, a series of tractor pulls and skill competitions, pancake breakfasts and a full-on tractor parade around the Ag Society grounds.
Of course, there will also be plenty of stationary vintage tractors and steam engines on hand for show-goers.
“We’re featuring European and orphaned models,” said Colbourne. “Lots of those old tractors that just don’t exist in the manufacturing field.”
It’s hard to say, however, what the turnout will be given the unusual harvest conditions this year facing local farmers.
“It might affect things. It just might,” said Colbourne. “We have some guys who might come out for just one day instead of two.”
Last year, about 800 people came out for the show. Even with the odd harvest this year, Colbourne said he expects to see about the same amount of people at the 2017 event.
“We seem to have our group of supporters and it doesn’t vary too much,” he said. “Sundays are a bit slower, but that’s okay.”
Tickets to the event are $10 for anyone 12 years old and up, with the proceeds going towards the Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club’s operations.
The club is also donating $1,000 to the R.F. Staples Thunderbirds football team, who will be working the gate. Finally, the Canadian Tractor Museum will receive a dollar for every ticket sold.
People interested in participating in the tractor pulls should arrive around 7 a.m. to get weighed for the competition.
