Greenup Old Tractor Engine and Machinery Show Oct. 5-7
Sasha Bush
The Ashland Beacon
In 1892, John Froelich invented the first successful gasoline-powered engine that could be driven both forward and backward. Little did he know that his invention would later be used to revolutionize farming and agriculture as we know it. Froelich’s design quickly caught the attention of the Waterloo Gasoline Traction Engine Company. In 1914, the first Waterloo Boy Tractor, model “R,” was introduced. This was a single speed tractor, which quickly became a high-selling commodity.
It wasn’t until World War I with the rise of farm prices and the high demand for dependable farm equipment that the “tractor” became quite popular, and manufacturers were coming out of the wood works. Deere and Company had quietly observed the progress of the Waterloo Engine Company’s increasing sales.
After four years of successful sales, the Waterloo Company decided to sell its company and all assets to the Deere and Company, or what we know today as “John Deere.”
John Deere shows a steady year to year growth of an estimated 3.17%. This averages to around more than 304,000 tractors sold each year. In today’s farming industry, it is virtually impossible to keep up with the supply and demand of home-grown goods without the use of farm equipment such as the tractor. No one truly understands the true value and sheer importance of the tractor better than the farmer. Greenup County residents understand this better than anyone. For the last 24 years, Greenup County residents have celebrated the tractor with its annual Greenup Old Tractor Engine and Machinery Show.
This year, the Greenup Old Tractor Engine and Machinery Show will take place October 5-7. Admission and parking to this event is free and will take place at the Greenup County Farm Bureau Show Grounds located off US 23 and Route 2 in Greenup County KY. This event is being sponsored by Greenup Farm Bureau.
Mike Bryant, a tractor enthusiast and member of the Greenup Old Tractor Engine and Machinery Club, shared a few of the event’s highlights, “We really work hard to make this a big family event. There is something for everyone at this show such as tractor pulls, petting zoos, tractor games for both children and adults, and so much more. On Friday and Saturday, we will have a free homecooked meal consisting of sauerkraut and wieners, pinto beans, cornbread and desserts made by the student of Raceland-Worthington High School.” Lunch will begin at 11 a.m. and will be available until its gone on Friday, October 5 and Saturday, October 6.
In the past, students at Greenup County High School have donated food as well. Bryant shared, “We work on donations, so we get the help of the local schools cooking classes to help make some of the food.” The Greenup Old Tractor Engine and Machinery Club has grown by leaps and bounds thanks to the generous donations of Greenup County Farm Bureau, the students at local high schools, and other various donations.
This event has gone from starting out with just three to four tractors back in the year 2000 to an astonishing 300-350 tractors expected this year. “We will have a lot of old hit and miss engines and just about any make and model of antique tractor that you can think of.” noted Bryant.
Don’t miss out on your chance to explore antique tractors, farm machinery, hit and miss engines, and new tractors and farm equipment. In addition to great food and lots of tractors, there will also be additional exhibits of handcrafted quilts, embroidery work, chain saw artist, and other farm related vendors on site for your enjoyment.