Tractor Parade

I thought I would take a departure from all things "natural" and share with you what is fast becoming a Northwest Missouri tradition, the annual "Show-Me Tractor Cruise". The tractor parade was held June 27th this year. Three of the past 4 years it has went by our farm. We enjoy sitting out in the yard and watching all the different tractors go by. Generally speaking there are well over 300 tractors present. John Deere, International, Massey Fergusen, Massey Harris, IHC, Oliver, and many others all make a showing. It is great to see so much of American history all together in one spot. Many women show up to ride along as passengers, but many also drive their own tractors. The young girl pictured here on the John Deere is a friend of my daughter's her name is Lindsey. She looked like she was having a blast. One tractor driven by a woman even depicted a sign stating "Yes, Girls drive tractors!" Go Girl Power! The parade starts in Savannah, MO at Derr equipment. The route varies each year after they leave Derr's. This year they went east towards Helena, MO where they stopped at the celebration of Helena's 100th park opening. After they left there they headed to St. Joseph, MO and stopped at Word of Life church for an extended break. From there they went north to the Village Shopping center for another break. Then it was back on the road to Savannah, where they were treated to BBQ picnic at Derr Equipment. Each year Joey says he will enter some of our tractors. I think he should. So many of these tractors represent a bygone era of agriculture. As farming becomes more modernized, just like so many other things these days, these tractors are considered by many to be outdated dinosaurs. What a wonderful way to show our pride as midwesstern farmers and lovers of tractors!