Tulare, CA –The California Antique Farm Equipment Show® kicks off Friday, April 12 at 8:00 a.m. at the International Agri-Center® show grounds in Tulare, CA. The event features antique tractors, trucks and engines, shopping by Rusty Roots, tractor pulls, and more family-friendly activities over the weekend. The show runs Friday, April 12, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Saturday, April 13, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 14, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Walter Watte, 2019 show chairman, grew up in southern California and worked on dairies and farms in Chino before joining the Navy in 1969. Throughout his 20-year military career, Watte visited his family in Tulare; he joined them as a volunteer at World Ag Expo® and the Antique Show. He now serves as president of the Topa Topa Flywheelers Antique Gas Engine and Tractor Club in Santa Paula, CA.
Watte is a “Green guy,” and chose a 1947 two-cylinder John Deere as his poster tractor. The Antique Show is in his blood – his uncle, George Watte, founded the show in 1993. “We’re featuring John Deere this year, but we love having all makes, models, and colors at the show,” said Watte. “It’s fun for people to come and check them out.”
Rusty Roots, a popular local flea market, will join the show this year inside the Corteva Agriscience Center (formerly Building C). The Tractor Pull starts Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. and is open to antique tractors from the show. Bull and Bronc Bucking is set to start at 9:00 a.m. Saturday in the Farm Credit Dairy Center. The second session, with bulls, broncs, and riders, begins at 1:00 p.m.
Saturday will feature a steak dinner and concert by Lon Hannah & San Joaquin Junction. Formerly of Sons of the San Joaquin, Hannah and his new group continue to focus on cowboy music and Western harmonies. Social hour is at 5:00 p.m., dinner begins at 6:00 p.m., and the concert will kick off after 6:30 p.m. in the Farm Credit Dairy Center. Tickets are $30 per person, call 559.688.1030 to purchase.
The tractor parade starts rolling at 10:00 a.m. Saturday on Median Street; a second parade is set for Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Swap Meet and Rusty Roots shopping will also be open until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 14.
In addition to antique tractors, trucks, and engines, attendees can look forward to good old-fashioned family fun, including a Saturday antique auction, Milk Chugging, and Pie Eating contest, a Kid’s Area, and tractor driving. Tickets are $5 per day and children under 6 get in free. Retired and active military get in free with valid I.D. For a full schedule of events and attractions, please visit www.antiquefarmshow.org.
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The International Agri-Center® is home to World Ag Expo®, February 12-14, 2019 in Tulare, California. An estimated annual average of 100,000 individuals from 70 countries attend World Ag Expo® each year. The largest annual agricultural show of its kind, World Ag Expo® hosts 1,500 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of show grounds.