Heat doesn’t slow antique tractor, engine show
George Hackler of Oak Ridge drives his antique lawn tractor around the Smoky Mountain Antique Tractor and Engine Show on Friday (June 12) in front of Anderson County High School. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
But that didn’t deter the crowds, who turned out in potentially record numbers to see the dozens of antique tractors and other classic machines on Friday and Saturday, June 12-13, said show Chairman Louis Petrowski.
Drawing a lot of attention was a bright pink classic John Deere tractor, which Petrowski said was painted that way to aid in breast-cancer awareness efforts.
But there were vintage tractors in several other colors, as well, from manufacturers such as Case, Allis-Chalmers, Farmall, Ford and Oliver.
Held the second weekend in June every year, this show is the biggest event of the year for the Clinton-based Smoky Mountain Antique Engine and Tractor Association.
There were more than 80 vintage tractors on display, along with the old engines, classic cars and semi-trucks, and even a four-wheel motorized railcar brought to the show by Mark Fuhrman of Clinton, who has owned it for 20 years.
Craft-vendor booths and food trucks were also on hand.
Mira Hausser of Halls, who produces the club’s newsletter, said the Smoky Mountain Tractor group also participates in other events throughout each year, including “tractor drives, the TVA Fair, the Dandridge Hot Air Balloon Festival and more.”
Besides the tractor group, the Smoky Mountain Model A Ford Club also participates in the annual Clinton event, and club members brought some of their cars to display.
The tractor group was founded in 1982 by a group of people who wanted to “provide historical education for members, [the] public, and schools; assist each other in solving problems and obtaining parts for old engines, tractors, and equipment; work toward the preservation of old engines, tractors, and equipment; and hold shows and demonstrations of old engines, tractors, and equipment,” according to the website (smaeta.org).
