A few years ago, recognizing that a lot of local families had old tractors that they were restoring, my uncle decided to organize a “tractor ride” as a way to get local families together to socialize, have some fun, and enjoy driving them around the country roads.

Each year, he maps out a route and contacts some of the local families to arrange permissions for the route to go through a few farms to bypass some of the more traveled blacktop roads, and to have large enough places to stop for breaks and lunch.   When “tractor ride” Sunday (usually in October) rolls around, tractors start showing up at the Holy Martyrs of Japan Church’s gravel parking lot from all over. Some are hauled but most are driven….rain or shine. Many pull hay or grain wagons to haul families with their picnic lunches. It is truly a day for the whole family.

Around noon, my uncle Teddy climbs up on his Farmall, and leads the way, with everyone else falling in line behind him. To add to the fun and to raise a few dollars to support our country church, there is an optional poker run, where you can pay a few dollars a hand and draw a card at each of the scheduled stops, with the winner receiving half the money collected and the other half going to the church to be used where the current need is. 

There are all kinds of makes and models, new and old, and often several generations of family members driving them. The particular photo contains several members of my family. I took the photo from the back of the hay wagon being pulled by my husband and his Allis Chalmers WD45. The photo is of my daughter waving while driving her daddy’s Allis Chalmers D-14, with her uncle Chris behind her on his Case, her cousin on his Ford 901, and her grandpa Ron on his Case, with many other friends and relatives behind him. We never know what the weather will be like in Missouri, in October, but, that year we lucked out with cool temps, sunshine, and Fall colors! The perfect day in the country! 

Veronica Brown of Sullivan, Missouri

2021 Tractor Photo Contest Group Photo Winner