Plenty of reminiscing at Half Century

RANTOUL – The world’s largest working vintage farm show continues to impress visitors from near and far.

The annual Half Century of Progress at Rantoul drew large crowds over the weekend at the old Air Force base in east central Illinois. Farm broadcaster Max Armstrong says they are blessed to have the massive facility.

“We are lucky to have the runways, taxiways and many of the fields here with crops and grassy areas,” Armstrong told The Central Illinois Farm Network.

Close to a thousand acres are utilized for the show – which includes actual demonstrations of old equipment.

“We get the equipment out in the field and let guys plow with tractors, the way their granddads would have plowed 70 years ago,” said Armstrong.

Some of the participating tractors are anywhere from 50 to 80 years old. A tractor ride left the grounds to travel through Champaign County on Thursday just as rain clouds formed above the show site. Armstrong felt fortunate there were very few breakdowns.

Excitement tends to build around the Half Century of Progress since the show is only held every other year, the same year the Farm Progress Show is held in Illinois.

“Folks come from all over the United States. They’ve heard us talking about it for years,” added Armstrong.

What started 18 years ago as an antique display during the Farm Progress Show now includes old combines, mounted corn pickers, pull type combines and pickers. The show utilizes modern corn varieties as Beck’s was the premier sponsor this year. Corn at the show site was drying down nicely as it was at 19.7 percent moisture early last week.

Tim Clark of Fairbury took his 1963 John Deere 45 combine to the show along with a 210 corn head. He bought the machine back in January from someone in northern Illinois. Most of the belts have been changed and the motor runs well. The fuel tank has been cleaned as it was full of rust.

“We put three or four new belts on it and had to change a few bearings in the corn head,” Clark explained. “We’ve been working on it pretty hot and heavy trying to get it ready for the show.”

The theme for this year’s show was Rantoul Repower Roundup featuring the class of 1971 tractors and equipment. Each day included a flag raising ceremony with America’s largest flying flag, a parade of power and live music performances.