HANCEVILLE – On Saturday, the 17th Annual Hanceville Antique Tractor & Engine Show was held at Wallace State Community College. The event hosted an assortment of antique tractors, lawnmowers, engines, vintage cars, trucks and peddle tractors – both restored and not.
A Tractor Parade showcased participant's equipment around the school campus while Tractor Slow Races awarded the tractor that crossed the finish line last without going dead with a trophy.
Additionally there was a women's Skillet Throwing Contest. Divided into age groups, plaques were awarded to the woman who threw a cast iron skillet the longest distance.
Hamburgers and hot dogs were served to attendees as well as homemade ice cream made by an engine-powered freezer.
The Antique Tractor Show originated with Mr. Jimmy Hamrick, a man who dearly loved restoring and collecting old tractors. He, along with a couple of friends, hosted the first Antique Tractor Show 16 years ago.
The first few shows garnered sizable crowds. Sadly, Mr. Hamrick was killed in a 2010 accident leaving the fate of the tractor show looming. Thankfully his daughter, Bonnie Brannon, chose to continue her father’s legacy.
“We have folks who drive a good distance to this area to bring their tractors,” said Bonnie Brannon, event organizer. “A large number of the folks that bring their tractors are members of the Alabama Chapter 23 International Harvester Collectors Club. For the tractors that are registered for the races, they are given a ‘goody’ bag of information, tractor catalogs, pens, etc.”
“We’ve had as many as 109 tractors at one time here in the past, when my dad was alive,” Brannon continued. “There are not quite as many tractors now since he’s not here, but we continue to have a really good crowd.”
Brannon plans to have the tractor show next year and years to follow. Admission is free. The show falls on the second weekend in June, mainly to honor Mr. Hamrick and other fathers who enjoy and appreciate authentic pieces of history.
