SUBLETTE – If spring can’t get here fast enough, neither can the 42^nd Annual Sublette Antique Tractor & Toy Show.

This year’s event is going to be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17 in five different buildings in Sublette.

As always there is a featured tractor, and it is John Deere this time around.

“Our feature changes from year to year between eight different brands of tractors from old to new. Some companies are no longer around but there are still the antique tractors in this area,” said Maurice Zimmerlein, who is called the president of the show’s committee, but he’ll tell you he’s just a member who runs the meetings because everyone has a job to do. “John Deere has always been big in this area. They have such a big dealer network, and a lot of local farmers are either CASE IH or John Deere. I prefer the John Deere because that is what I grew up on.”

“All models of John Deere equipment are welcome to showcase. We would like to feature the Model 4020 tractor because it is the 60^th year of the tractor. We’re looking for those specifically. I know there are a lot of those in this area and we’re trying to dig them out to get them to the show.”

Although John Deere tractors are likely to come from anywhere, Zimmerlein and the committee are aware and thankful many exhibits will be provided locally as families have brought as many as 10-15 tractors and Prairie State Tractor (www.prairiestatetractor.com) in Mendota will bring brand new John Deere tractors.

At the show, the antique tractors will be outdoors, there will be a local semi-tractor display, farm toy layout displays, Firemen’s Pancake Breakfast held by the Sublette Volunteer Fire Department from 7 a.m.-noon on Sunday, March 17, lunch stands by Sub-let Indians and Maytown Comets 4-H clubs, and a free shuttle service to each of the five buildings.

“The show takes a lot of preparation. We have six committee members (Zimmerlein, John Stenzel, Anthony Morgan, Mark Henkel, Jeremy Zapf, and Evan Bickett) and a lot, a lot of volunteers who are putting this thing together. There are people who will come out of the woodwork a week before the show to help us set up. It works out really well.

“It’s a community minded event.”

For more information call 815-503-2607 or 815-866-8017.