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 By JENNIFER TANGEMAN
Staff Writer
Few people exhibit an enthusiasm about historical artifacts as Jim Bowsher does.
When crews working for G.A. Wintzer and Son Co. started working to build new office space on West Auglaize Street, they came across some interesting finds where a rental home had previously sat.
Jim Kent and others of Kent Surveying began finding pieces of artifacts. They called in local history buff, Bowsher, to try to figure out what the bits and pieces meant.
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Antique tractor run set for area |
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Wednesday, 16 September 2009 |
By KRISTA HAYES
Staff Writer
Participants and onlookers of an annual antique tractor run held in Auglaize County may notice a few changes this year, including a name change, a different route and a new start time.
Now called the Antique Tractors Fun Run, instead of its original name of the Auglaize County Tractor Poker Run, this year’s event is scheduled to be held Saturday and is to include three stops during the 36-mile route. Similar to previous years, it is to start and end at the St. Marys Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) hall.
“In years past, we use to call the event the Tractor Poker Run, but insurance companies didn’t approve of the name since most poker runs are associated with stops being made at local bars,” organizer and participant Tom Fischer, of Wapakoneta said. “We also changed the time in order for the event to start a little earlier this year since we have a longer route and all participants must now have a Buckeye Farm Antiques membership for insurance purposes.”
Since it’s start in 2006, Fischer said the tractor run has continued to grow each year. The first year it was held organizers hoped to get at least 20 participants and ended up registering 38. In 2008 they had 75 and in 2009 approximately 70, he said.
“The last couple of years we have had between 70 and 75 tractors participate which makes for a nice run, although we would love to have more get involved,” Fischer said. “We usually travel an average of 30 miles a route each year, staying at each stop for approximately half an hour. The event always draws a nice crowd of people looking to have fun.”
Other organizers and participants in the event include St. Marys residents Lee Sudman, who plans to drive a 1959 John Deere 630 and John Moeller who plans to ride atop either a 1953 Farmall Super H or a 1956 John Deere 620.
Fischer said he will not be driving a tractor in the parade-like event, but instead he intends to sit behind the wheel of his 1936 Chevrolet pickup truck.
“I’ll be driving my truck equipped with extra gasoline and diesel fuel following the tractors along to help out if any problems arise,” Fischer said. “If anyone breaks down or runs out of fuel, I’ll be ready.”
The day starts promptly at 7:30 a.m. with registration and free biscuits and gravy at the VFW, located at 1309 E. Spring St., where trailer parking at nearby Ray’s Recycling, Cisco Funeral Home and Parker Hannifin along with route maps will be provided.
The public is invited to come look at the tractors before the run starts at 9:30 a.m. — rain or shine. Stops are then be made at Joann and Ralph Shroyer’s farm on State Route 247 east of New Bremen, where there is to be horsedrawn and antique equipment on display.
Participants are then travel to the Carol and Thomas Schlueter Construction business on Cemetery Road, northeast of Botkins, where there isto be antique tractors, cars, memorabilia and gas pumps. The route is then to finish out with a visit an Bambauer Fertilizer (rest stop) on Kettlersville Road, west of Kettlersville. Afterward, all participants are then return to the VFW.
Lunch is to be made available for a small fee at the second stop. There also is to be free food and door prizes at the VFW for participants after the run is over.
Handling traffic control at all intersections will be law enforcement and emergency management agency officials for Auglaize and Shelby Counties.
Participants will be required to pay a $20 per tractor entry fee, with all proceeds going to benefit the Auglaize County Law Enforcement Shop with a Cop program. Participants must also show proof of their Buckeye Farm Antiques membership for insurance purposes at the time of registration. Those who don’t have a membership can purchase it the day of the event for $5.
“For all four years we have been holding the tractor run, we have averaged raising around $500 for the Shop With a Cop program each year,” Fischer said. “The guys in St. Marys decided they wanted to put the proceeds toward the program because they thought it would be a good way to help benefit less fortunate children in the county.”
While the run is designed as being for 1972 and older models, Fischer said the event is open to all tractors regardless of when they were made. However, all tractors must be able to travel up to 10 miles per hour.
Fischer said anyone can participate, with a gift certificate to be handed out to the participant who traveled the farthest to drive his or her tractor in the run. Last year, a man from Illinois won. There will also be a gift certificate awarded to the oldest participant, with last years winner being 93.
For those like Fischer who will not be driving a tractor, there will be a tour wagon included in the parade lineup for people who just want to sit back, relax and ride along.
While the event raises money for a good local cause, Fischer pointed out that it also gives participants and others a chance to show off their tractors, as Sudman and Moeller got the idea for a tractor run when they went to a familiar event in Rantoul, Ill.
“There isn’t really a whole lot of events around here where guys can all get together to show off and brag about their tractors,” Fischer said, “so this tractor run gives them that opportunity.”
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 17 September 2009 )
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