GOVERNMENT

Tractor show, ag day to feature all kinds of machines on Saturday

Sandy Hull
Dale and Sharon Casteel of Cambridge show off their Minneapolis Moline IT during the tractor portion of the Cambridge Main Street Family Fest last year. Spec Cast of Dwyers, Iowa, contact the Casteels and asked them if it would be possible to make a toy sized replica of the tractor and they agreed. After a number of visits to Cambridge, the company made 400 toy sized tractors for the general public with some of those going to Casteel family members. The replica of the tractor is on the top of the full sized tractor. Dale found the tractor sitting in an orchard in Orion and restored it back to its original condition. The Casteels use to travel all over the country with their tractors, but for now are staying closer to home. They had seven tractors on display.

    A tractor show and ag day is set in Cambridge for Saturday, Aug. 7, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. according to Karen Hutchinson, one of the organizers of the event.

    “This year the show will be expanded and include semi tractors, farm trucks and hit-and-miss motors,” said Hutchinson. “There will be something for everyone.”

    The tractor show will include antique tractors, newer tractors and farm implements according to Hutchinson.

    The antique tractors will be displayed in Veterans Memorial Park.

    “Last year, we had close to 200 antique tractors with Cambridge mayor James Crouch  choosing a Massey Harris tractor as his favorite tractor of the show,” she said.  “We want to expand that number.”

    There will also be a pedal tractor show.

    Ten semi tractors are already pre-registered for the show. The semi tractor and farm truck show will be held on Prospect Streets.

    Kevin Echelberger will be in charge of the hit and miss motor show. They will be displayed at Cambridge Heritage Park on the corner of Prospect and Locust Streets.

    A pedal pull will also be held. Registration starts at 12:30 p.m. near the antique tractor show with the pull set to begin at 1 p.m. Dave Dobbels will be the announcer for the event. Everyone who enters the pedal pull with be entered into a drawing to win an actual pedal pull tractor. The tractor was donated by Tim Wise, a candidate for Henry County sheriff.

    Other children’s activities are also scheduled throughout the day including Michlig Agri Center’s corn box, an egg toss, a bean bag toss and more.

    A Cambridge fundraiser for the Henry County Fair will be held throughout the day. Biscuits and gravy will be served during the early morning hours and later rib eye sandwiches, brats, hot dogs and pop will be offered.

    The Cambridge Champs 4-H Club will be selling rootbeer floats throughout the day and the Ridgewood Athletic Boosters will be selling drinks. The club will also have their personalized pans for sale during the event.

    The Cambridge Historical Society will offer pulled pork sandwiches, pop and homemade cookies.

    Catherine “Cat” White will sponsor her Again and Again Sale at the Cambridge Community Hall. She will also be offering face painting.

    Charlie Dirck will have numerous concrete statues for sale. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Henry County Fair.

    Special Touch Photography will be on hand to take pictures for a special prize. Children, family photos and tractor photos are welcome.

    Kenny Beam is in charge of arranging tractor games for tractor owners.

    A raffle will also be held throughout the day with proceeds being used for advertising or other expenses. Randy “Spike” Edmund has donated two half hogs with processing the wishes of the winners.  Clarence “Clink” Drescher has donated a full-size privy (outhouse). Cheryl Winston has donated a tractor quilt. There will also be grill tools, toy tractors and other misc. items raffled off.

    Shuttle rides will be offered to the different attractions, Veteran’s Memorial Park, Cambridge Heritage Park and the Cambridge Community Hall. The shuttle will also run to Fieldcrest Village and Cambridge Manor.

    The Old Odd and Unusual Museum will be open during the day from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    The entire show will be handicap accessible. Golf carts and scooters are welcome for those who are physically challenged.

    Goodie bags will be distributed to the first 100 entries. Anyone wishing to donate anything to the goodie bags, should call Hutchinson at 937-5859. The event will be held rain or shine.