Early Monday morning, August 12, 2013, 60+ tractors delivered their drivers to the Whiteside County Fairgrounds, to begin a delightful, back-roads trip through the towns around Morrison, IL. This was the 5th Annual Whiteside County Farm Bureau Antique Tractor Drive, organized by Farm Bureau Executive Director Matt Lillpop of Rock Falls and Ron Shank of Morrison.
Participants paid an entry fee of $35 to caravan through the countryside. Funds will assist the Farm Bureau’s “Ag in the Classroom” program.
The group left the fairgrounds at 8:15 a.m. and returned to Morrison about 5:15 p.m.
Gene and Margaret Pessman, 15651 Millard Road, Morrison, hosted the gathering of about 70 people, after they left the fairgrounds and before the actual touring began. Margaret said the route went “down through Fenton[, IL], along Frog Pond Road and Garden Plain Road, to the Garden Plain Church for a lunch stop, by the Whiteside County Livestock Feeders.” The meal included grilled ribeye steak sandwiches; the church ladies served salads and pies, naturally.
Gene Pessman is shown atop his 1970 John Deere tractor, leaving the Garden Plain Church after lunch.
After lunch, the procession went south of the church on Sand Road to the Albany-Erie Road–near the pipeline that had exploded that same day–then to Fenton and back to Morrison. Some left their tractors at the fairgrounds for display during the 143rd Whiteside County Fair. On Friday, August 16, the Antique Tractor Parade will begin at 5:45 p.m.
Professional photographer Craig Pessman, son of Gene and Margaret and brother to Joy Tegeler, built this artistic video of the event. Joy’s son, Jacob, suggested the appropriate music. Feel free to “ride” and sing along!