Sinking Valley hosts farm show, Tractor Trot
SINKING VALLEY -- Seven aged tractors, including one pulling a hay wagon, lumbered along Sinking Valley roads on Saturday's cloudy but rainless morning.
Along the route, a few onlookers waved to the tractor drivers who joined in this year's Sinking Valley Tractor Trot, a parade that started in 2015 when the Sinking Valley Presbyterian Church observed its 225th anniversary.
"We enjoyed it so much that we've been doing it every year since," church elder Will Nichols said before the parade started.
"This is our fourth year," his brother, church trustee John Nichols added. "But it's the first time for partnering with the farm show."
The Sinking Valley Farm Show ended Saturday night after five days of activities uniting residents of the rural community who came together to display their garden produce, enjoy good food and engage in friendly contests such as milk-chugging and sack-racing.
That same camaraderie was evident Saturday morning when the tractor drivers, along with family and friends, gathered in a field to form their parade of mechanical workhorses from the 1940s, '50s and '60s.
"It's a nice meandering tour of the valley," John Nichols said.
The tractors, traveling about 10 to 12 per hour, would cover about 10 miles before returning to the Sinking Valley Fairgrounds for display during the rest of the farm show. The parade also included a mid-trip stop at the church, where root beer floats were waiting for the drivers.
While John and Will Nichols also participate in the larger Huntingdon County Fair, both acknowledged their fondness for the Sinking Valley Farm Show.
"We like the idea of giving the (Sinking Valley) farm show some more exposure," John Nichols said.
"It's homespun," Will Nichols added.
The parade also offers an opportunity to connect with neighbors, including an Amish man who stopped his horse and buggy so he and his wife could watch the parade.
The tractor drivers smiled and waved at the Amish couple and everyone else they passed, including some who were probably wondering what was going on.
"It's fun to watch the guys at the golf course turn their heads when they hear us," Will Nichols said.
The parade also offers a reason for the restoration of old tractors.
Lance Loose of Sinking Valley said he just finished working on a 1956 Farmall 300 made by International Harvester. It took about three years, he said, because he worked only a few hours at a time, when he had time.
"This is the test run today," Loose said. And he and his tractor appeared to have no trouble.
Will Nichols said the group will hold another tractor parade next year, also on the last day of the Sinking Valley Farm Show. Anyone with a tractor is welcome to participate.
"It's our version of a Cruise-in," Will Nichols said.
Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 946-7456.