The 27th annual Inman Farm Heritage Days has come and gone, and what a great show it was.
By all accounts we had the most tractors, most exhibits, most vendors and probably the most attendees of any show we’ve ever had.
The weather was hot, but we’ll take that over rainy any time. We had exhibitors from at least seven states and visitors from as far away as Texas.
The local clubs that participate really stepped up their efforts this year, and our core group of local volunteers did an amazing job as well.
We owe a special shout-out to the Pike County Old Tractor and Equipment Club, the Empty Wallet Club and the Rusty Iron Tractor Club for their prolific displays and participation.
Our local families stepped up in a big way this year, and our friends from other areas did so as well.
In my first try at this blog, I tried to single out some of our local exhibitors who brought exceptional displays this year, but I realized that the likelihood was too high of leaving someone out.
Then I decided to mention the “out of town” folks who stood out, but again there were so many I was afraid of missing some.
So I’ll just say this: Every exhibit you see at Inman Farm Heritage Days required a lot of blood, sweat and tears, and plenty of hard work – and money.
Pictured below: L-R Steve “Duze” Dluzniewski, who came from North Carolina and performed the National Anthem, Rick and Freddie Neely with his extremely rare 1938 Minneapolis Moline UDLX.
The strong showing this year was really encouraging, because we always worry about the future prospects of a hobby related to old iron.
But I honestly believe the hobby’s best days may be ahead of us, given the number of enthusiastic young people who were a part of this year’s show.
If you weren’t able to be here, take a look at the photos posted on Facebook and other social media platforms and you’ll see what a great group we had.
As always, we’re thankful to the Good Lord for a safe show. We never take that for granted.
The show grounds were pretty much cleared out before the rains associated with Hurricane Helene arrived, and we’ve moved on to making plans for the Inman Antique Expo on the first full weekend in March, and the 28th annual Inman Farm Heritage Days next September.
Since the Expo is relatively new, we’re working hard to find a way to distinguish it from Heritage Days. The Expo replaces the antique truck shows we’ve had in the past, and we encourage folks to bring tractors and engines to it just like the fall show. (We still like to see the old trucks too.)
We always have some exhibits that get overlooked in the fall, and we’re hoping to bring some of them front and center in March. We plan to work with the Rusty Iron group to get our pulpwood truck in operation for multiple demonstrations each day, and we’re hoping the Empty Wallet group can build on their display which features some serious engine repair during the show.
We welcome your ideas for new displays and ways to build on what we have here.
Thanks again everyone.