Work on your farmer's tan at two tractor shows - Oct. 18-19

photo Tractors of all makes and models can be seen at Cherokee Capital Fairgrounds in Calhoun, Ga.

International Harvester, Allis-Chalmers and Minneapolis-Moline may not play out in song lyrics with John Deere frequency, but two expos this weekend will show city slickers that tractors come in colors besides green.

In Calhoun, Ga., members of the Gordon County Antique Engine and Tractor Club will present their seventh annual Antique Engine and Tractor Show on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19. Ford will be the featured brand, but all makes and models will be on view.

In Dunlap, Tenn., the Sequatchie Valley Historical Agricultural Association will present its eighth annual Days of Yesteryear Antique Tractor and Engine Show on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19-20.

CALHOUN, GA.

The Gordon County show will feature a power parade, tractor games, vendors, exhibits, demonstrations, children's tractor train, children's games, as well as skills such as wheat threshing, baling, wrench toss and skillet toss.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, rain or shine.

A pinto bean and cornbread dinner, starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, will raise funds for the club's $1,500 scholarship.

Admission is free.

The event will be held at the Cherokee Capital Fairgrounds, 1050 Liberty Road SW (Georgia Highway 53 W). The site is 3.5 miles west of downtown Calhoun, 4.5 miles west of I-75 Exit 312. For more, call 770-773-0855.

DUNLAP, TENN.

The Sequatchie County event will include food and craft vendors, hayrides, hammer mill demonstration, cutoff saw demonstration, woodworking, blacksmithing and the chance to drive a tractor. A Tractor Olympics will pit men and women in slow races, tractor pushes, barrel rolls and wagon backing. Kids can take part in potato sack races, pedal tractor pulls and ride a barrel train.

Secretary/treasurer Bill Gray says the event started with "a few of us old farming guys and around 20 tractors, and it has grown to last year with 200-plus tractors."

Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday (all times Central) at 17900 U.S. 127, just north of U.S. 111. Admission is free.

Anyone who has an old tractor, engine or piece of equipment is welcome to bring it and show it off, Gray says.

Those interested in the lawn and garden tractor pull (no mower decks or other attachments) should call George or Ida Miller 423-949-7755 for rules and registration. For more, visit www.days-of-yesteryear.com, or call 423-554-3276.

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