Our next event is Rodney’s Plow day, September 7th, coffee and donuts at 8:30 am, plowing starts at 9:00. We need an RSVP from you 815-263-7008. Call my phone for a head count for food. This is important! We will plow or Show or sit around and talk rain or shine. The Herscher Historical will also provide a bake sale fund raiser at Rodney’s.
A great Big thank you goes out to Chuck Quick who managed the CIGC display at the 2019 Kankakee County Fair and to those who brought tractors and equipment. We should be very proud to be in the face of our Community in such a good way. Thanks Chuck!
The Feature Column will return next month. I thought I would share with you a few pictures from our events and give you some pointers on Half Century. The Olde Time arm Show, Historic Farm Days, Will County Thresherman’s and The CIGC Veteran’s Ride have come and gone for the summer. The events have been plentiful, warm and well attended. The Barnyard Class Pulls have been well attended too. There are still a lot of events left for the summer so get out and enjoy them. If you haven’t registered for the Herscher Labor Day Parade, please do so. It’s a place where CIGC is always welcome and our neighbors love to see us.
I hope that many of you take advantage of the Half Century of Progress Show. A Show of this magnitude is in our back yard and we are part of the event. The Show begins on Thursday August 22nd and runs through Sunday the 25th. The Show opens each day at 7 am followed by the raising to the “World’s Largest Flag” at 8 am. The Field demonstrations begin each day at 8:30 am. Where the demonstrations are will be is posted each day at Hangar 2 (that is where you register you and your equipment, attend a Safety Meeting and receive your entry day passes). If you are not bringing equipment, walk in entry is $15 per day or $30 for a 4-day pass, under 12 is free. There is a one-time fee of $30 for Gators and carts even if you are an exhibitor. As in the past exhibitors will enter into the North gate. You must have your wrist band to enter without cost after your initial entry. There is exhibitor camping from the North end for $40 for the entire time as long as there is room. The improved camping is full as of last week. The tractor Ride with Max is on Thursday 8am sharp and will return around noon. You must preregister by going to the website for a form and getting it to Bonnie Marcotte.
At 4:30 Thursday, Friday and Saturday there will be tractor pulls. You will note that this is much earlier in order that more contestants can partake and that you don’t have to find your car in the dark. The broom guy and check planter guy are both returning over by the North entrance. Jolene Brown, an entertainer will perform at 10 am Thursday and Friday. She is the “Holy Crap, I married a Farmer” lady.
No riders will be allowed anywhere on the field unless there is a seat. The exception is during the Parade there may be some allowed. Remember 5 mph is the speed limit on conveyances, the little blue lights are expensive so don’t run them over, if you spill fuel, tell someone, do you best not to hit pedestrians and have the best time you can. The Airport will close to flights from Monday the 19th to Monday the 26th. Please respect their property, we want to come back again in 2 years.
Our trailer and Olde Time Farm Show Trailer will be the first thing on the right as you come in as a spectator. If you have some time to volunteer it would be greatly appreciated. I will try and keep the cooler full of water so, stop by and say Hi! Get a map! You can print a map and a schedule from the website or get one at the entry points. It is big and there are lots of things to see. If you tune to 89.9 FM Radio, you can get traffic reports, changes in schedules and special announcements such as weather statements. It is a valuable tool. Lastly, have a great time and make new friends.
2017 Show Stats: There were 1405 Exhibitors registered, 2352 pieces of equipment from 26 States. There were 772 people who attended the Safety meeting.