2015 Tractor Shows

Prawn Farmer · Jan 29, 2015

Maybe with gas being cheaper there will be a better showing at tractor shows this year. Trying to think what organizers could do to help the draw and make them more interesting to outsiders and maybe stimulate some new converts. Wonder if inviting dealers to bring some new tractors to sit along side the older ones to compare would be interesting.

SweetFeet · Jan 29, 2015

Here's what NOT to do... 4-wheeler pulls!!

A show we attend every year did that once or maybe twice... and I think they must have gotten a lot of negative feedback. One does not go to an antique power show to listen to those little 4-wheeler high pitched, screaming dervishes (it was BAD - they don't do it anymore).

fixerupper · Jan 29, 2015

It all depends on the region. We all know the population of old farmers who collect old machinery is dying off and we have to change our shows accordingly to draw a new type of crowd. In my part of the US collecting old stuff never has been as prevalent as it is in the east so our population here isn't quite as interested in lines of tractors and engines. To draw in more gate fees Our local show has successfully brought in a civil war enactment to draw the interests of the growing number of town folks. We have a 1800's encampment with tents, tepees and characters dressed in period attire. We have a horse drawn potato digger that makes a pass or two and then the kids are let loose to pick up the spuds. We have the homemade ice cream that's to die for. Our collectable military vehicle and memorabilia area is becoming fairly extensive. If we stuck to primarily tractors and engines we would be going downhill but instead we are holding our own. We haven't gained numbers at the gate but we haven't lost numbers. It takes a lot of work to keep bringing them in.

Edit, I'm looking at this through the eyes of a show organizer instead of through the eyes of an exhibitor. The two go hand in hand. Good shows bring more exhibits. A show that has friendly greeters to help the exhibitors get through their anxiety when they pull in will bring more exhibitors. It's multi-faceted.

john *.?-!.* cub owner · Jan 29, 2015

Don't count on the gas price staying down, they will raise it when warmer weather comes. As to attendance, gas price has been a consideration, especially since the higher gas makes peoples budgets tighter all around, not just for that one trip. Also a lot of people are like me and getting health problems and not bringing as much machinery as they used to. I used to take 2 or 3 tractors to a show, but now just take 1 or if the tip is short, maybe 2.

farmallstrong · Jan 29, 2015

Our show is in W.Pa.,in Sept. We are a small club and this will be our 19th show. We have always had a attendance problem. We have no gate fee, the only thing you pay for is food. We do charge if you want to be in the tractor pulls or tractor games. We have very nice grounds, a great track, real bathrooms. We have a saw mill demo that runs all day. Up to last year we had a thrasher demo. but stopped it last year. We have kids games, peddle pull, giant ice cream sundae. We also have a flea market which is growing.

We have had a car cruise with our show. That was bad. All they did was complain about parking in grass. Once we had a antique trucks come for 1 day and they were worse than the car cruisers.
All this being said WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO TO GET PEOPLE TO COME???
I'm sorry this is so long, but it has bothered me for years. Thanks, any help would be Great...

Prawn Farmer · Jan 29, 2015

I totally agree with you on this. The sounds and smells are part of the draw for me, including the acrid coal smoke from the steam engines.

RalphWD45 · Jan 29, 2015

I saw a tractor pull, in a small town in south east Mo. Cruthersville, IIRR. It seemed to gather the whole town togeather, and everyone that had a riding mower, or garden tractor, was involved. Some units, were home grown, modified tractors, loaded with suitcase weights. They gathered in the park by the elevator, next to the river, and pulled opposing each other, just a strap between draw bars, It seemed to draw the whole town, I guess any one, could afford to compete. The wife and I ,enjoyed it a lot.

55 50 Ron · Jan 29, 2015

How about getting the brand name organizations, both national and regional, to hold their show in conjunction with yours.

I know there aren't enough of those to fill every tractor show, but it may help.

I'm thinking of organizations like Red Power Roundup, different chapters of IHC, local 2 Cylinder clubs, Northland Case Collectors, National Case Expos, etc.

I think most every brand has regional and national shows, maybe even local shows.

In MN , the LeSueur County Pioneer Power Show uses this idea and it seems to work well for them.

I'm on the Board of Directors at Farmamerica near Waseca and I've done some thinking about getting these groups to exhibit in conjunction with our events. The planning has to be far in advance as most of these brand organizations are booked years ahead.

sms · Jan 29, 2015

We have less and less farms around here and our little show doesn't do very well but one local town has a tractor parade through town, then park them talk and eat whatever and it gits bigger every year, now over 400 tractors. About anything that runs, doodlebugs, combine whatever. Callicoon Tractor Parade, Callicoon NY
Tractor parade

rustyfarmall · Jan 29, 2015

(quoted from post at 08:20:13 01/29/15) It all depends on the region. We all know the population of old farmers who collect old machinery is dying off and we have to change our shows accordingly to draw a new type of crowd. In my part of the US collecting old stuff never has been as prevalent as it is in the east so our population here isn't quite as interested in lines of tractors and engines. To draw in more gate fees Our local show has successfully brought in a civil war enactment to draw the interests of the growing number of town folks. We have a 1800's encampment with tents, tepees and characters dressed in period attire. We have a horse drawn potato digger that makes a pass or two and then the kids are let loose to pick up the spuds. We have the homemade ice cream that's to die for. Our collectable military vehicle and memorabilia area is becoming fairly extensive. If we stuck to primarily tractors and engines we would be going downhill but instead we are holding our own. We haven't gained numbers at the gate but we haven't lost numbers. It takes a lot of work to keep bringing them in.

Edit, I'm looking at this through the eyes of a show organizer instead of through the eyes of an exhibitor. The two go hand in hand. Good shows bring more exhibits. A show that has friendly greeters to help the exhibitors get through their anxiety when they pull in will bring more exhibitors. It's multi-faceted.

That show in Albert City, Iowa is one of the better shows I have ever attended. The civil war stuff doesn't hold much interest for me, but it is very interesting to walk through the display of old military vehicles as well as the display of antique and classic automobiles. The best part though, is the sawmill and the threshing demonstrations. Just can't get enough of the "stack" music from those steamers.

Nick m · Jan 29, 2015

I've always thought a dyno would be a good addition to our local show.

Frank 41 · Jan 29, 2015

Half Century of Progress at Rantoul, IL August 27 thru 30, 2015. John Deere is the feature tractor this year. Come and see us.

old-9 · Jan 29, 2015

Our local show has done everything to keep gate cost down. you would be very suprised at the cost to put on a show. This show has a lot of demos, saw mill to thresher and bailer. It takes a lot of people to run everything from runing the demos to removing the trash. If you bring a tractor or ? to exhibit you get 2 passes. I have been to shows that you had to join their local club in order to display your tractor. One show was $10 and your wife was another $10. Another show was $15 for a membership. Last year at Portland Indiana show the cheapskate club wouldn't even give the exhibitors a "dash placard" charged you for one. needless to say I AIN'T going back.
The things I look for at a show is #1 how I am treated by local club, #2 the exhbits, and #3 the food! If you don't have good vendors people won't come back. My local show has a good flea market and Great food. Very low turnover on the food vendors.
Joe
Untitled URL Link

Bonnan · Jan 29, 2015

farmall.........where is your show? If its close, I might plan on coming next time.

BarryfromIA · Jan 29, 2015

I like the Albert City Threshermen and Collectors show. It has many displays and is easy to display at. And its only 75 miles away.

calf · Jan 29, 2015

Advertise. WHO, WHAT, WHEN, and WHERE.

One thing I have noticed for a lot of different types of events, lack of advertising, and just as often, poor or incomplete information.

If people don't know about an event, they will not come. You need to have one person, or more, dedicated to getting the word out. Websites, flyers, print publications. Get a list started and update it as new locations are found. Make sure not just one person has this info, else, when they leave/quit, you got problems.

If your organization has a website, get it updated early with COMPLETE info (see below).

Poor or incomplete info. I cannot believe the number of announcements/websites where the location for an event is listed as such and such a county. I live in MN, I don't know where all the counties are here, much less in WI, 25 miles away. And make sure you give the complete date, including the YEAR on everything, things on the internet hang around for a long time.

WHO, WHAT, WHEN, and WHERE.

One final point, and then I will get off my soapbox. If you have a website, don't just advertise your events, advertise others in your area and hopefully they will reciprocate.

massey 333 · Jan 30, 2015

One more point,DON'T ASSUME EVERYONE IS COMING FROM THE SAME DIRECTION as far as signs are placed.I went to a big National show(200Mi) few yrs ago never saw the first signage and when asking why there were no signs or info,the club fellow ask if I was blind or what as they had XX signs up and where they were.When saying I came from the West rather then the east side,they didn't expect anybody tobe coming from that direction and saw NO NEED to mark it.Never been back and don't expect to ever go back because of their attitude.

2015 Tractor Shows

Prawn Farmer

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SweetFeet

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fixerupper

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john .?-!. cub owner

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farmallstrong

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Prawn Farmer

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RalphWD45

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55 50 Ron

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sms

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rustyfarmall

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Nick m

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Frank 41

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old-9

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Bonnan

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BarryfromIA

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calf

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massey 333

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