IT’S MOSTLY ABOUT THE MEMORIES, I’ve decided.
A snippet of the tractors and more displayed at the Rice County Steam & Gas Engines Show.
Past memories.
Spotted at the flea market…
And building memories.
A sign along Highway 3 welcomes visitors.
The Rice County Steam & Gas Engines, Inc., annual Labor Day weekend show, which continues through Sunday, brought back many memories for me as I wandered among tractors and flea market merchandise and more for nearly four hours Saturday.
The young and the older guide a John Deere toward the parade route.
Curve of a Surge milking machine. Putt-putt-putt of a John Deere tractor chugging along the tractor parade route.
Al and Marlene Sutherland of Country Junction, Tripoli, Iowa, pose with the replica small scale farm buildings Al constructs. He taps into his memory to design and build the buildings. The corn crib in the foreground includes 400 pieces and sells for $200.
The agrarian lines of a corn crib.
Vintage oil cans grabbed my attention at the flea market.
A Midland oil can. An NFO sign. All so familiar.
Rows and rows of tractors, including these John Deeres, line the grounds.
As I paused to admire an aged, rusty John Deere, an elderly woman said the green machine brought tears to her eyes. It was exactly like the one her father drove.
Brothers William and Jacob climb atop a Farmall.
Nearby, grandparents smiled as their two great grandsons climbed onto a Farmall. Building memories.
Several steam engines are part of the exhibition.
If you’re into farming of yesteryear and flea markets, then consider attending this event. Gates open at 7 a.m. Sunday and close at 5:30 p.m. A tractor pull is slated for 9 a.m. Admission is $8 with 12 and under free.
Fords, including this one from Westbrook Ag Power (where my oldest brother is part owner) were the featured tractor at this year’s show. This Ford is owned by a rural Northfield man.
The show grounds is located three miles south of Northfield on Minnesota State Highway 3. For more information, click here.
BONUS PHOTOS:
You can buy a chance to win a Golden Jubilee 1953 Ford tractor being raffled by Rice County Steam & Gas Engines, Inc.
Checking out the Minneapolis Molines.
My favorite t-shirt of the day. The show always offers photo-worthy rural fashion shots.
Every time I attend this show, I order a BBQ shredded pork sandwich from the Rice and Dakota County Pork Producers.
PLEASE CHECK BACK for more photos from the Rice County Steam & Gas Engines Show.
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I spent many hours on an International M cultivating corn on Orville Quist’s farm in Nicollet County. My favorite tractor though was the International H, which we used to pull the hay wagons. Its size and power was just right.
Isn’t it fun to remember those days. I drove the B-Farmall to feed cows hay.
There’s just something about “yesteryear” that I just love. You captured some great pictures, I LOVE the one tee-shirt that say, “this is the view from my office window” that one made me smile just imaging that view up on a combine… That would be so wonderful! I also liked the Blue Ford, that’s a handsome looking tractor. My Grandpa Thomas (mom’s dad) had Minneapolis Moline’s, the other grandpa had Farmall.
You know your tractors, don’t you?
I loved that t-shirt, too.
I love all things country memorabilia including tractors. That famous JD green and gold is well known around the world, but I feel a bit conflicted about cheering for JD. Because Grandpa had a Farmall so I should keep the Farmall family dream alive. My brother is crazy keen about Farmall’s – he bought the old tractor when Grandpa retired. But I also have the Case pulling on my heart as my best friend’s DH is really into Cases. He even gave me an antique Case print which hangs in a prominent place in honor of Bob’s obsession. But wait I see a brand in your third-last picture I don’t remember ever hearing before, the Minneapolis Moline and it looks like the tractor my Dad had when I was just a tot. Wish I could ask him what his old orange tractor’s brand was. I love your photo stories.
Thank you.
I’ll ask my husband to ID that last tractor. He’s done engine work on a lot of the old tractors at this show and he knows his tractors.
The food is very reasonably priced and sounds lovely. I think I’d order the same as you. I love the little replica buildings that man has built – gorgeous! What a great day that would be full of memories for many xx
Yes, a day filled with memories.
And the food is always great not only from the Pork Producers, but also from the local Knights of Columbus food stand.
Love the oil cans photo.
My middle brother is into Midland gas station memorabilia, so I will be contacting this vendor to purchase his Midland oil can. The bro gave the heads up to buy.
Love that guy’s t-shirt – ha! I think you pretty much covered every color of tractor – love that and the pops of color. This brings back memories of growing up on various farms. Happy Week 🙂
I tried not to show favoritism with the tractors.
And, yes, that t-shirt is great. The husband pointed it out to me.
Nice coverage of the show. I didn’t make it this year.
I was wondering if you were there. As usual, a wonderful event. I missed out on the threshing and many other activities, though, as I was growing weary.