Photo: A good showing of tractor makes and models at the 2015 show on the Wallace State campus.
HANCEVILLE – Started by Jimmy Hamrick 20 years ago, the annual tractor enthusiasts' haven at Wallace State Community College is now continued by Hamrick’s daughter, Bonnie Brannan, in honor of his memory. The 18th Annual Hanceville Antique Tractor and Engine Show, held by the local chapter of the International Harvester Collectors Club, will be this Saturday, June 11, at 9 a.m.
“This year’s event is going to be very similar to previous years’, actually,” Brannan said. “There will be ‘Slow Races,’ a skillet-throwing contest and pedal-tractor races, too.”
Brannan says that even though the event is held each year, it has been more difficult to bring a larger number of people out to the event because of new competing annual events in the community.
“We are a fairly small event, you know,” she said. “We don’t have too many people who come out, and now we have to compete with Dodge City Days, which we used to didn’t have to do.”
Regardless, this year’s show will have events that will entertain. The ‘Slow Races,’ as described by Brannan, are when those competing in the race drive their tractors as slowly as possible without the tractors dying.
“And, of course, whoever wins gets a prize,” she said.
There will also be a skillet-throwing contest “for the ladies.” And there will be an event especially for the children, according to Brannan.
“The International Harvesters Collectors will be bringing pedal tractors for the children, and they will have a race,” Brannan said.
The event will start at 9 a.m. and go until “about 1:30 p.m.” The event is also doubling as the state meeting for the IHC Chapter #23.
“They’ll have it to where people can sign up and register if they want to become a member,” Brannan said.
Admission to the event is free, but there will be food vendors selling hotdogs and hamburgers.
“It won’t be expensive though, it’s not like Rock the South food,” Brannan said.
A tractor parade will be held at the event as well.
“Everyone who brings a tractor will register that tractor and receive a gift bag and will be in the parade. We can’t go, you know, on the main road or anything, but we’ll drive around the Wallace campus. You will be able to see us across the street from the Dairy Queen parking lot,” she said.
The event will be held in front of the Bevill Building on the campus of WSCC.
“Everyone is welcome to come; you don’t have to bring a tractor or anything. And, of course, we’ll have homemade ice cream,” said Brannan.
