By the time you receive this the Covered Bridge Ride and Olde Time Farm Show have already occurred. I need to tell you from my experience that The Covered Bridge Ride was as good or better than any other year I have been to. The weather was warm but tolerable, the areas we drove were very nice and the bridges as always are a thrill to drive through. We need to thank the Covered Bridge Association and the Joe Warters family for putting on a great event as they always do. The food was good and the company was excellent and I am looking forward to next year already. PS 153 registered/ 150 showed.
The Olde Time Farm Show was also warm this year but there was a good showing of tractors and of course of the David Bradley nameplate. It was great fellowship in the shade and the tractor pulls on Sunday were a big draw. CIGC provided Tractor Games on Saturday afternoon and provided a bit of fun too. The winner of the Slow Race was a very young 6 yoa) driver Mr. Liam Gaus in a ¼ scale Rumley Oil Pull. The bucket Challenge was won by Les Piper on his 60 John Deere. I need to thank everyone who helped with the Tractor Games and all the volunteers who helped at the Club trailer. When we all work together it means a lot.
Historic Farm Days will occur from July 11 thru the 14 at the Club grounds in Penfield, IL This year’s feature are the 1458 and 1568 V8 IH tractors. It will also feature the 80th anniversary of the H & M tractors. This show also celebrates the 25 Anniversary of the Chapter 10 IH Collectors Club of Illinois. Field demonstrations daily, tractor pulls, fireworks, parades and much, much more. There is an International 856 Wheatland for raffle too. Only 250 tickets will be sold at $100 each. Their tx number is 217-595-5000.
July 18th thru the 21st will be the Will County Thresherman’s Association show at the Spiess Farm located on US Rte. 52 just East of Wilton Center. They are featuring Oliver, White and Cletrac. There is also a tractor pull there as well as farming demonstrations of wheat threshing and plowing. Always a good time and yes, our trailer will be there and yes, we need people to man (or woman) it. More info is at steamshow.org. PS the 7th Annual Vintage Tractor Ride will be held on July 20th sponsored by the Peotone Educational Foundation who supports the Ag program at Peotone High School. The cost is $65 and leaves the WCTA Show at 8:00 am sharp and includes a pork chop dinner.
Manteno Veteran’s Ride will occur on August the 10th. As usual we will have coffee and donuts before leaving the Evans Farm at 8:30. Another contingent will leave from Jim Morgan’s in Peotone. Please note the change in the date!
Half Century of Progress runs from August 22nd through 25th. This year’s theme is Harvest Brigade. If you can pick with it or cut with it or reap with it, you can display it. There will be field demonstrations daily, parades, parts and collectibles for sale and you will be able to see most any kind of farm item in operation each day. There is a tractor
ride on Thursday but you must sign up ahead of time. The giant flag returns too with a formal raising of the flag each day. CIGC will share the very first spot as you come in the gate to sell our wares with Olde Time Farm Show. We need volunteers from Thursday on to help man (or woman) the trailer. You can find out a whole lot more by going to www.halfcenturyofprogress.com