By: Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The Crawford County Antique Farm Machinery Association’s 15th annual Antique Farm Machinery Show plowed through Friday with the highlight of the day being the evening’s tractor pulls.
Originally scheduled for 5 pm, the tractor pulls were moved back to 6 pm, to allow some of the participants of the pull time to get to the fairgrounds after getting out of work for the day.
With damp conditions from the recent spate of rain in the area, the infield had to have a tarp placed over the pulling area on the infield.
David Snyder explained why the use of a tarp was needed prior to the pull starting.
“We had about 4 hours of work to do to it before we could pull on it. So we thought there might be some rain so we put a tarp over it to keep the rain off of it so we didn’t ruin our work. Because if we did all that work, then rain got on it, we would have to tear clear back up and pack it back down,” Snyder said.
A wide variety of classic tractors took part in the pull with 12 different classes of tractor participating in the event. Snyder explained that this tractor pull was about having fun, testing and tuning of the tractors.
“There’s clubs from all over and we just kind of have a broad range of rules that covers everybody’s rules so everybody can come from any direction and come pull here, and tonight is kind of like a fun hook; a test and tune for everybody,” Snyder said.
Like most farming operations the tractor pull was a family affair with multiple generations of families taking part in the event.
Mike Young, who participated in the event with family members Weasel, Rick, Toad, Kevin, Garrett, Jimmy, Kaleb and Layne, explained that the family does the tractor pulls as something fun to do.
“We will do about anything to argue, and this makes it all easy getting together as a group, and we have some fun arguing and telling stories,” Young joked.
Mike Young explained that his grandpa’s 1954 WD45 is one of their featured tractors in the pull.
“My grandfather bought that tractor new in 1954. He bought it brand new, and it was the first tractor he ever owned,” Young said. “We got 4 here today. We have about 7 that we pull, but that one there my grandfather bought brand new.”
Weasel Young explained what he enjoys most about participating in the tractor pulls.
“I tell you what I enjoy about it the most, is all the other pullers are a bunch of nice guys out there, and they like to harass each other like we harass ourselves, and so it makes it a lot of fun. You make a lot of great friends out there.”
Tractors and tractor pulls weren’t the only thing on display at the Antique Farm Machinery Show as a flea market and craft show were held at the fairgrounds as well.
“This year has been larger than in years past,” Nancy Allamon said. “We have a bag weaver, a blacksmith, and everything from embroidered TP to toys to Avon, to conceal carry. We are looking to expand vendors each year.”
“We also have some fresh produce, ice cream, and salsa,” Allamon added.
The flea market and craft show starts at 8 am until festivities close for the day at the farm show.
Saturday will be the last day of the 2015 Crawford County Antique Farm Machinery show. Featured events for Saturday include a garden tractor pull at 11:30 am, the parade of the tractors at 2 pm, and at 5pm the truck pull. From 9 to 4 on Saturday the Antique Farm Machinery Show will feature their first ever car show and swap meet.