Antique Tractor Drive this Saturday, Oct. 15

Farmers and antique tractor enthusiasts are invited to take part in the first Antique Tractor Drive this Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Anyone with an older tractor is invited to meet at the Harris Family Farm located at 4903 N. 425 W., north of Ireland, at noon on Saturday. Shortly afterward, the caravan will depart the farm for a tour of the county roads before returning to the farm for burgers and sides.

Mike Hochgesang is one of the organizers of the event that will replace the annual Plow Day that has been held at the Harris Farm for the past ten or 11 years. According to Mike, with the advent of no-till farming and its positive effects on farmland, the group decided to make the annual day a tour this year instead of turning over the dirt on the family farm.

There is no set route, but according to Mike, who was volunteered to lead the 10-mile-per-hour tractor tour, the group will likely head north towards Portersville and over the bridge into Martin County before returning to Harris Farm.

The tour is all volunteer-led, and the size of the caravan depends on the number of tractors that show up. Last year, the group had more than 30 tractors at the Plow Day event, and in the past, those tractors have come from the local area as well as outside the state.

For this tour, the group would like to see tractors that are at least 40 years or older.

“My tractors are maybe 50 years old,” Mike said. “But others may bring something older, as long as it runs.”

He added that for him and other farmers, driving these tractors around the county and in local parades is enjoyable because of the reaction they get from kids. “They (kids) love hearing those two-cylinders (John Deeres) rev up,” he added about his own tractors.

The event is on rain or shine and open to the public. For more information or questions, call Mike Hochgesang at 812-630-0327.