By Stephanie Irvine
The Will County Threshermen’s Association held a Vintage Tractor Drive on Saturday, June 8. The event featured 24 vintage tractors, ranging in age, make, and model, and driven by members in a 35-mile journey, with stops throughout Will County.
“It was great, and the weather’s perfect!” said Jim LaMore of the event.
“Couldn’t ask for anything better today. Good crowd. Good to get out and run the tractors. There’s a lot of people who don’t see these old tractors anymore. Nice to see the FFA kids get involved to keep it going,” said LaMore, who farms in Manteno.
Association President Brad Eike grew up on a dairy farm and has a deep appreciation for the agricultural community, having recently retired from a 44-year career in FS (farm fuel services). Eike drove his dad’s old tractor, noting he’s had a lot of fun with the tractor he grew up on.
“You’re going down the highway at 10 miles an hour, and you can see everything around you. I love that,” said Eike of the event.
Organized by association Vice President Lane Heatherwick, this year’s Vintage Tractor Drive had a $65 participation fee that covered food and drink, a commemorative hat and magnet, and a safety escort from the Will County Sheriff.
Brian Kestel hosted lunch where his grandfather held the first show in 1963. His personal connection is how he got involved with the Threshermen’s Association.
“It’s very important to me,” Kestel said of his involvement.
The lunch stop was busy with family members and association members not driving a tractor, who were meeting the group at the stop. Little ones also got a chance to climb on the different tractors.
“By keeping tractors out in front of people — and I know we block traffic and all that — but they start asking, what are these things doing out here? So we can answer that this is the history of how farming got started,” Heatherwick said of the drive’s purpose. “These are old tractors, and a lot of these tractors have lineage.”
“The tractors might have a dent in the hood or something, and a family member put it there through a driving incident. It just makes it so unique. And if the tractor could talk, it would tell lots of stories,” Heatherwick continued.
The camaraderie among members was evident, as was the hard work the members had put into their tractors, with paint shining and engines operating smoothly. Members talked about how they got their tractors, as well as improvements they’d made.
“These tractors just don’t look like they are when we get them. They have to be completely torn down, rebuilt, and sometimes it takes a couple years and quite a bit of funding to get them back to original,” Heatherwick said, noting sponsor Steiner Industries makes a lot of the parts they need.
“It’s exciting. It’s amazing to see the equipment and how they keep it up so well,” said Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, who met participants at one of the stops.
The Vintage Tractor Drive kicks-off the association’s summer events, with its upcoming annual Antique Tractor and Steam Engine show to be held July 18-21, at the Spiess Farm, 13831 W. Joliet Road in Manhattan.
“The show is all about keeping old history alive. It’s a slice of the past we want to keep in people’s minds. We’ve got something for everybody – for the whole family to come out and have some fun. There’s a petting zoo for the kids with farm animals, and stuff for the kids to be able to come up and touch and learn about. So it’s education, too,” explained Eike.
“I’ve been coming to the show my whole life, and the only way this club can have a future is to get young blood involved,” said Andy Rousonelos, undoubtedly one of the youngest members at just 22 years old. He first got involved with the tractor drive events when he first started driving tractors.
Rousonelos farms with his family in Mazon, but his family has farming roots in Joliet and Plainfield.
The upcoming Threshermen’s show features tractors and other equipment, steam engines, plus corn shelling, tractor pulls, food, and more.
“It brings back old memories. It’s good to go do this,” member Tom Wood said. He hoped the drive would bring awareness that the equipment doesn’t go as fast as cars, so maybe drivers would give them more space.
“A lot of people don’t know about farming. They think it comes from the grocery store, and it doesn’t. There’s still a lot of farming in this area,” explained Wood, who farms in Manteno.
Daily admission to the Threshermen’s show is available on-site at $8 for adults and $4 for children. A flea market and crafts, and farming demonstrations are held daily. A free shuttle helps visitors get around the grounds.
“Farming is coming back. It’s kind of cool. You’re getting a lot of smaller farms, families that are starting up stuff around here. I think farming is being appreciated — it always has been — but it’s kind of at a high point right now as far as appreciating the older stuff. It’s a great family friendly event,” Kestel said of the upcoming show.
The Will County Threshermens’ Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, whose goal is to preserve the legacy and promote awareness of Will County’s agricultural history.
“Farming has come a long way, and (these events are) a good way for people to get a respect for all the advances and technology we have now. You can see what hard labor it used to be.”
“We’d love to see more people come out and get involved,” said Rousonelos.
Association membership is not restricted to farmers; the group includes Ag industry retirees, those who have family connections, and those who simply want to help preserve the agricultural legacy.
“I think the biggest thing people get out of (being in the association) is friendships. Everybody’s got a tractor story, even if they’re not driving it. So many nice people. It’s my favorite part,” said Eike.
“It’s a great ride and a great group. The people in this group love what they do,” Eike remarked.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Threshermen’s Association and its events may visit www.steamshow.org.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.
