Story Published:
Aug 17, 2008 at 6:30 PM MDT
Story Updated:
Aug 17, 2008 at 6:39 PM MDT
BILLINGS - Our nation's heritage is deeply rooted within its soil. And Montana farmers from across the state gathered in Huntley this weekend, to glorify the tractors of today and yesterday.
"All these folks that you see around here, it brings back memories," tractor owner Ray Lincoln said. "Even people from back east all over the country that, their grandpas had tractors, their dads, they were raised on farms, and even if they weren't, they saw them, and they just love it."
This was the 20th anniversary of the Threshing Bee, which featured live entertainment, homemade food and the competitive tractor show. Some of the restored machinery was more than 100 years old.
"For two days we just put on a show, let everybody see what farming was all about at the turn of the last century," South Central Antique Tractor and Machinery Association President Ken Amann President said. "We basically play with our toys."
Visitors of all ages saw live working blacksmiths, threshing, binding, and bailing.
"I really like the blacksmiths, to see how they used to do stuff," Daniel Strobel of Absarokee said.
"It's always fun to see the elderly come out because they can tell me more about what we're doing than I can tell them because it's something they did it as a kid or as a young person," Amann said.
The families who were here this weekend say they will be coming back for years to come.
"It's a tradition now," Jinnifer Miller of Joliet said.
Admission is $4 per person or $10 per family and will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sunday.