By Staff
BERRIEN SPRINGS – Hundreds of antique tractors have rolled into the Berrien Springs Antique Tractor Show for the biannual event at the Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds beginning today and running through Sunday.
This year's fundraiser show for the fair is an "all color" antique tractor show with the theme "Local Built and Home Grown" featuring tractors and implements built in and around southwest Michigan. Attendees can expect to see antique tractor brands such as Truckster, Friday, Love, Parrot, and the Weber Special, plus hit and miss engines and hundreds of other antique tractors from around the country. The show is supported by members of the Michiana Two-Cylinder Club.
"The fair is proud to offer this event to the community, which serves as a fundraiser for the fair and offers one-of-a kind tractor-related entertainment," said Mark Young, event chairman and BCYF board member.
Young said this year's antique tractor show will offer daily tractor parades, tractor games, tractor vendors, concessions, and a swap meet. "Saturday will be a big day for us with the Spring Shootout Antique Tractor Pull and also a free pedal pull for kids," Young said.
Another highlight will be the first tractor parade today at 3 p.m. as the antique tractors leave the fairgrounds and will make their way through the village of Berrien Springs. The route will start on Old U.S. 31 heading south, then turning onto Ferry Street, and around to the back entrance of the fairgrounds on Shawnee Road.
Spring Shootout coordinator and BCYF board member, Jon Vollman, is expecting "about 200 hooks" for the antique tractor pull which takes place on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. in the Grandstand. The Spring Shootout will have three divisions, including one division for the show tractors, then two divisions for the professional tractors. Vollman was appreciative of all the local sponsors who contributed to the payouts for the divisions because it "attracts a higher caliber competition."
The pedal pull, for kids weighing 35-65 pounds, also takes place on Saturday. The event is free, with registration from noon to 1 p.m. and the competition starting at 1 p.m. BCYF board member, Don Byers, said all of the participants "receive a participant ribbon and trophy while they last."
Other highlights to the tractor show include a pedal tractor display each day, and an arts and crafts sale on Saturday only.
Ticket prices are $5/adults, $4/seniors, $3/kids (ages 5-16) for one-day tickets, or $12/adults, $10/seniors, and $6/kids for 3-day passes. Tickets are available at the gate. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday, then 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
The Berrien County Youth Fair is handicap accessible and wheelchairs are available. Shuttle service will be available throughout the show, provided by Greenstone Farm Credit Services.