Went to an old tractor show

I went to an antique tractor show at Catoosa Okla a week ago. Ive been there several times, and enjoyed myself each time. Its rather a small event. They used to do plowing on a 200X80ft strip, but quit quite suddenly. It is held on Courp of Engineers land, and they may have ha d something to do with it. ANYHOW, When I went years ago, they had a steam engine running a lumber mill of some sort, ive forgotten which. I was impressed. Then a year or so later they had a teens/20s tractor. That was great. This year they had a 49/52 JD A showing on a shingle mill. Heck, I remember those well. We had a 37 A, and later a 49 A and a 50 B. These last were near new tractors to us in the late 50s. They also used to have a couple doz tractors of all brands setting in a couple rows, either totally restored, or fresh out of the field/junkyard. These looked exactly like they were ment to disregarding age. They only had around a doz this year, and you had to go down a steep hill to see them. What they were show casing was pullers. They were hiped up, souped up, somewhat rebuilt tractors, with small wheels in front, tail bars in back.
Although these are liked by their own respective audience, I think theres still a lot of people who still ike to see and remember the tractors theway they were origionally built, snd remembered by the people who drove them. IF WE, who drove those old 20s/50s tractors are declining because of age or illness, that's sad, but for those of us who remember those days with those ole girls can make it to the shows, they should make provision to allow them to be shown by those who can do so. I have old tractors, 30s/50s, but have no way to haul them. I sure like to see the old brands that I don't have but remember neighbors having. Just my thoughts.

Often, the people putting such an event on have to call everyone they can think of and often make many repeat calls and email clubs and such and put in a lot of time to get way fewer than they used to get. So if you were trying you best and still were getting only half the number of tractors that you used to get would you turn away a guy who told you that he would come and get some of his buddies to come too?

Farmallb, maybe you can get ahold of the organizer and offer to help him next year, and maybe you could have some enjoyable days going around talking to tractor and equipment owners.

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]they should make provision to allow them to be shown by those who can do so[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Last July I contacted a local tractor club in NE Texas that was sponsoring a tractor show.

I was told, because of personal liability, that I would need to join their organization.

Pure speculation on my part, but an increasing number individuals in our <a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=litigious">litigious</a> society dictate to a dwindling number of antique tractor enthusiasts.

This sad situation really "[i:654c4848f0]take the shine off the apple[/i:654c4848f0]" for some folks like myself.

James the reason they needed you to "Join" is that there are organizations that offer reasonable liability insurance to Antique tractor clubs for short term events like a tractor show. That insurance covers members.

Farmallb: I have not had a tractor to a show in over ten years. The main reason is labor. My children are busy with the lives now and do not have time to help get to a show. Also there are some JD political reasons too but the main one is I am just getting older. I have a limited amount of energy to get things done anymore. So chores and such are the important things. Not much left for exhibiting old equipment.

Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association (EDGETA) is an association that provides adequate coverage at a low price. IIRC our club pays about $1-3 for member coverage. Any club sanctioned event is covered...ie, tractor show,fundraiser, taking our raffle tractor to another show, etc. Ever since that boil blew in Ohio....