I met Andy Hinrichs several years ago. Unfortunately, I’ve never had a conversation longer than a few minutes with him. Until the Saturday after his 16th successful Garden Tractor Jamboree. Andy would personally attest to the fact that it’s very difficult to have a meaningful visit during the event. He’s just too busy.
Andy and his wife Lisa are northern Illinois natives. They lived in several apartments around Rockford before settling on their property outside Oregon. There was plenty of land for outbuildings, besides the house. The house was first, and that was over twenty years ago. So far, that’s the only house their son AJ has lived in, and he’s twenty now.
Andy’s collection isn’t limited to lawn tractors. There are a few farm tractors. He has a 60 that once belonged to his father. AJ got a toy tractor when he was born. It just happened to be the real thing. His toy is a John Deere A.
There is also a mass collection of hit and miss engines housed in the barns. Andy doesn’t collect the extraordinary. He likes the common ones. He told me they are easier to fix because parts aren’t so hard to obtain.
Andy likes the lawn and garden. The prices are a little easier to budget. Storage and logistics are also easier to manage. Basically, his view sees L&G as a good place to start for young people. Andy wisely sees the future of historical agricultural collecting in the hands of our youth.
The inspiration for Andy to start the Jamboree actually has roots to Dyersville. IA. There was a show held ironically neighboring where the Feild of Dreams diamond was built. After looking around that show, Andy told himself, “I can do this.”
16 successful years have passed, proving that he can. The first year had 155 tractors on display, and the show has grown there after. Andy claims 2019 was one of the better years.
The show administration is completely in Andy’s control. The staff is completed with family,neighbors, and volunteers. Other than the gate fee, Andy absorbs a majority of the show costs. There is no sponsorship, and Andy has no plans to change that. The local 4H is the only benefactor of the annual auction. Andy’s quote. “This show is for the collector participants.
Participants seem to follow a progression in their attendance. Generally, the first year will be the year of discovery,just being a spectator. From that point, they’re hooked! AJ’S isn’t exactly a local event either. Collectors come from the surrounding states, even as far as Ohio, Tennessee, and Kansas. Andy sees his show as an early year chance for everyone to reunite and show off what’s new.
It’s amazing how successful one family can single handedly host a show on their own property. Andy has purchased the ground to the north of him. Future plans are for AJ to build. Could this also be potential for show expansion?
Thanks, Andy, Lisa, AJ, and family for your continued hospitality.
Editor’s note~ With one exception, photo credit goes to Andy, and whoever took the pictures I found on Facebook
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