For the past five years, Argenta,, IL has hosted Farming in the Fifties. The small town, just east of Decatur, rallies together to honor antique agriculture. Tractors line the streets for the event. According to show coordinator Marty Bayless, the first year had an event tally of 40 tractors Marty shared that the normal average counts around 80. He had hoped for a record breaking turn out display this year. With the high fuel prices, Marty was grateful for the amount of tractors that did make effort to be in town. I didn’t hear the final tally for 2026
Anyone in the local region may have been made aware of the event. Besides the usual social media campaign, Marty has the local television, and radio stations advertising. That advertising, and the great sponsorship has created a great annual show. Marty is also grateful for the community support. The event is intended to be family friendly. Besides the tractors, there were food vendors, I was informed by another participant that such goodies like pies, cookies, and jelly were available for purchase.
A pedal tractor pull was also held during the afternoon.
The usual standard of brands were on display. A good showing of Harvester, Deere, AC, Oliver, and Minneapolis Moline lined the streets. Josh Dennis had a Rumley Oil Pull, which he fired up and drove around. I’d guess that was the oldest tractor. Carl Davis brought an assortment of lawn tractors. There were some hit and miss motors. Maybe the most unusual tractor on display was a Shaw Du-all, considering there is a local collector close. Shaw tractors aren’t rarely seen in the area.
I, personally, enjoyed the usual camaraderie that tractor shows create. This was my first show for 2026, and it was great being surrounded by familiar “tractor” friends. Tractor shows can be viewed by different perspectives. Here are the notables that I discovered.
I was surprised to find an Allis Chalmers parked among a group of red power. My good friend Lori Parkin, the first lady of IH is quite vocal about her disdain of the other brands. Of course this is just a jest all in fun. Anyway I was assured by Lori that AC is tolerated since she grew up around that brand as well. Check out this American Flag! Jim Germann crafted it using 4040 aluminum cans.
This is a working display of Maytag engines. The little kickstart 3/4 horse engines had a few uses. One use operating a washing machine. I have to wonder how noisy it was in the laundry room back then? The little Maytag’s were built in the thirties and forties. Don Bruff from Lincoln, IL is quite knowledgeable. It was interesting to visit with him
. These half size tractors were very eye catching. Chad Schierer. from Metamora, is the craftsman that built them. The little tractors were created from old lawn tractors, mostly Cub Cadet. Chad did an outstanding job making the little machines look so realistic.
Toward mid afternoon, I found myself in my lawn chair, next to Carl Davis. We conversed about our up coming plans for 2026. I had to smile at Carl’s comment. “I’m beginning to like these small one day shows” I nodded and replied “I’ve felt that way all along.”
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