A celebration the makes old tractors the stars of the show is one of the top draws this weekend in Shoshoni, Wyoming.
The Don Layton Memorial Antique Tractor and Engine Show, featuring displays, parades and contests among antique tractors dating back to the creation of the internal combustion engine will be held Saturday and Sunday in Shoshoni.
Some 30 tractors of varying makes, models and ages are expected to be on hand for the event staged by the Wind River Flywheelers, said organization secretary Carlta Witthar.
The event, now in its 24th year, will even feature a steam-driven tractor which is tended to by Witthar’s husband Dave, a licensed steam engineer.
“My husband has two (John Deere tractors), but he is also the only licensed steam engineer,” she said. “So he can’t play with the green tractors because he’s got the steam engines working.”
The event is named after one of the founders of the Wind River Flywheelers, an organization made up of people who enjoy restoring, running and displaying antique tractors.
Layton and the early members of the club launched the tractor and engine show just a couple of years after founding the organization, Witthar said.
“It’s not changed a lot from the time when they started their first show,” she said.
Events will begin with a parade or “tractor drive” in Shoshoni at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by live music, an auction and a “tractor pull” in the afternoon.
In a tractor pull, tractors are hitched to large sleds. Heavy weights are placed on a platform on the sleds. As the sleds move forward, the weight moves closer to the front of the sled, making it more difficult for the tractors to pull.
“It’s just for bragging rights, there are no prizes given out,” Witthar said. “It’s all fun to watch.”
Activities kick off again on Sunday with the tractor drive and tractor pull.
The weekend will also feature vendors, a craft show, food booths, a large sand box and pedal tractors for children to play with and a small “barrel train.” The club’s steam engine will also be used for demonstrations of corn grinding and water pumping.
For more information, visit the Wind River Flywheelers page on Facebook.
