SUBLETTE — For as far back as you can remember as kid if you were on, near, or around a farm you dreamed of one day sitting behind the wheel of an International Harvester Super C, or perhaps a John Deere LT Series 155 heading down the road to tend to crops. Maybe Grandpa or Dad shared the seat and took you for a ride. Many boys also jumped on a tractor pedal car and pretended to be like the big dogs.
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SUBLETTE — For as far back as you can remember as kid if you were on, near, or around a farm you dreamed of one day sitting behind the wheel of an International Harvester Super C, or perhaps a John Deere LT Series 155 heading down the road to tend to crops. Maybe Grandpa or Dad shared the seat and took you for a ride. Many boys also jumped on a tractor pedal car and pretended to be like the big dogs.
Some things have changed over the years; nowadays many of the pedal cars are electric. If you have an appreciation for the history and preservation of tractors and farming toys, you have to head out to the Sublette Toy and Antique Tractor Show on March 19 and 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.
The featured brand this year is International Harvester, which will be well represented featuring over 180 pieces of equipment including; tractors, trucks, wagons, and plows. Not to mention toys t-shirts and memorabilia. IH Northern Illinois Chapter President for the last 15 years Ken Wolf said that it’s a labor of love but hard work getting set up.
“It takes us a full day from morning till night the day before to be ready to go,” he explained.
Other models on display include Allis Chalmers, Case, Ford, John Deere, New Holland, Oliver, and a few surprises. Since 1982 the tractors have been proudly displayed outside on Sublette Main Street, and farmers and collectors are readily available to share the history and stories of the machine that first helped revolutionize farming back in 1812. If you are looking for that special toy tractor, old farm literature, crafts, or a keepsake, wander into five buildings loaded with items from vendors locally as well as Kentucky, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
After a solid run, like so many other events, the indoor part of the show was cancelled due to Covid mandate restrictions back in 2020. The original committee of Dean Stephenitch, Tom and Don Dinges, and Dan Tastad decided to step down, and the future of the show was uncertain. Sublette Village President/ Mayor John Stenzel felt that it was his duty to carry on the successful tradition of the event.
“I just couldn’t let it end that way,” he said. “I got a few community minded men together and we started meeting last fall to keep it going.”
Stenzel, along with Mark Henkel, Anthony Morgan, Jeremy Zapf and Maurice Zimmerlein started meeting last fall to plan and organize.
“Besides providing an enjoyable weekend for everyone, this show is a very good fundraiser for the community,” said Zimmerlein who has had a table selling toys since 1985.
Over the years, if the weather cooperates, the show can draw between 5,000-6,000 people. Lunch stands will be available and provided by the Sub-let Indians and Maytown Comets 4-H Clubs. The annual Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast will be held on Sunday morning from 7 a.m. to noon. Free Shuttle Bus service to the display buildings will be provided.
A special section on the annual show will appear in the March 9th edition of the Amboy News.
