Sunday August 16th was the 20th Annual Lion's Tractor Drive and over sixty units were lined up at the fairgrounds over the noon hour. The group left the Trailhead Grill in Pine Island about 8:30am. There were 63 tractors pre registered but a few extra may have joined in at the last minute. Most of the tractors were vintage iron from the 1970's and earlier. About half were restored to showroom condition. International Harvester seemed to be the predominate make in the parade followed by John Deere, Allis Chalmers, Minneaplois Moline, Olivers, a couple Fords and a few short line models from the 1950's. About a dozen were pulling trailers or wagons with seating for guests who enjoyed the trip.
They headed for the Milton Town Hall where the group stopped for coffee around 10am.
Then it was on to Kasson where they lined up on the grass where the Midway was set up a month ago during the Dodge County Free Fair. There was a lunch served in the 4-H building with proceeds going to the Pine Island Lions Club. Visitors were able to stroll along the rows of tractors and admire these impressive workhorses from half a century and longer ago. Most of these were restored with pride in honor of the fathers and grandfathers who worked the land with these. Some had been in the farm family since the day they were purchased.
Around 12:30pm the engines fired up and they headed out single file north on Highway 57 to return home.
