Antique Tractor Show
by Maryann Miller

It was like tractor heaven at City Park when venerable old machines settled in on October 12th for the Autumn Trails Antique Tractor Show. Farmers waxed nostalgically about the time when these machines had been used on a regular basis and collectors traded inside information about restoration processes and anecdotes from past shows.

The weather couldn't have been better for the crowd that gathered for a fun day at the park which included tractor rides for the kids, great food from the BBQ Cook-off, and a chance to see some wonderful old tractors as they paraded around the Civic Center.

At one o'clock in the afternoon awards were given in three categories. Best of Show went to a John Deere Model 36A owned by Harlan Routon of Wylie. His machine was impeccably restored, a process which took several years as Mr. Routon scoured old supply companies for original parts. "They're getting harder and harder to come by nowadays," he said.

The Showmanship Award went to a display of 'his and hers' tractors owned by Ron and Rosa Davis of Minneola. They gave most of the credit for the decorations to their seven-year-old granddaughter, Emilee Davis. "She just loves doing this," Rosa said. "And we have great fun coming up with ideas for the displays."

Wiley McCarley, who lives in the Coldwater Community near Winnsboro, won the award forthe Oldest Tractor Running, with is 1936 John Deere Spike Wheel. "My son got me interested," he said. "He's been doing this for a long time and it looked like he was having such a good time, I decided to do it."

Willis Brummett, of the WB Farm outside Winnsboro, didn't win an award for his 1921 Fordson, but it was the oldest machine there. "You wouldn't believe it was the same old tractor I bought a few years ago," he said. "It was nothing but a rust bucket."

This is the first tractor he's restored and he hopes some day to get it running. He's collected old plows for a long time and has an old syrup mill, circa 1908. He thinks the Fordson will look real nice displayed by the mill on his property.

The visitors seemed to enjoy the show as much as the entrants as they sauntered from display to display, then watched the parade. One man from Plano commented that "Some of the drivers were as crusty as the old machines."