Find out at the 29th Annual Spring Plow Days sponsored by Old Time Plow Boys
The next question you might want to ask is, “Can I see this being done?” The answer is yes, at their Annual Spring Plow Show to be held at the Berks County Heritage Center, 22 Luckenbill Road in Kutztown, Pennsylvania on April 27 and 28. The Old Time Plow Boys began the Plow Days as a way to get together to open the fields with their antique tractors. They have been doing this for 29 years, one year short of the organization’s inception.
What was once a day for the members to get together has now developed into a two day event complete with all sorts of activities for everyone’s enjoyment. For the kids, the pedal tractor pulls are a number one favorite. This year the pedal tractor pulls are being sponsored by Carl & Allie’s Vintage Wheels and will see to it that every child goes home with a prize. Other activities for the kids will include barrel rides, a scavenger hunt, and kid’s games.
For the big kids who love the big tractors, Saturday will be their Antique Tractor Pulls and Sunday will feature garden tractor pulls. To participate in these pulls, entrants must be members of Old Time Plow Boys. Those participating will receive prizes thanks to our major sponsors for our shows — East Penn Manufacturing Company and Specialty Rigging Company.
Want to just enjoy the day? There’s plenty to experience from their daily parade of tractors, a variety of vendors and crafters with all sorts of items to purchase, and music entertainment on Sunday with “Days of Old” from 1:30 to 3:30. The main attraction on Saturday will be the antique tractor pulls. Experience the opening of the fields by taking a ride on one of our wagons. Brand new to this year’s event will be axe throwing by Axe Man for the Eastern Pa. Axetravaganza .
While enjoying all the activities of the event, stop by the club’s food trailers for some great homemade food, soups, french fries, and burgers as well as yummy ice cream and desserts. Thank you to our food stand sponsor H. M. Yeager Fuels. It’s an event that is one of a kind in the experiences and one you won’t want to miss.
So what is the answer to the question as to how many antique tractors does it take to plow a 15
acre field in 2 hours? When asked that question, George Ohlinger, member of OTPB shared, “Well, first of all, the tractors can only use 2 and 3 bottom plows and these plows can be on rubber or on steel tires.” George continued,
“What we do is a tractor will begin the first two rows and then another tractor will follow and open the next two rows right behind them and others will follow. With 16 tractors we can open a 15 acre field, the old fashioned way in two hours.”
“Last year was a very challenging year for us and the garden tractors were used to open the fields.” When asked, “Can anyone come out and help with the plowing?” George answered, “Nope, you need to be a member of Old Time Plow Boys and you can only have one person on the plow. All tractors must have fire extinguishers on them, too. Tractors must be older than 1959 to qualify as an antique tractor.” “Sure, we will allow tractors to plow for the demonstration that are newer than the age limit for the antique tractors but you still need to be a member to be on the field and you must use 3 bottom plow or less.” The planting of the grain wouldn’t be possible without the generous donations from our seed and grain sponsor for this year, Jimmy Adams & Sons Farms.
What are you and your family doing on April 27th and 28th? The Old Time Plow Boys Club prides itself in preserving the heritage of farm tractors and implements. This year the organization will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary. Watch for more details about their Annual Summer Show. If you would like to become a member of the Old Time Plow Boys, or to learn more about the event, feel free to visit their website at oldtimeplowboys.com.
