Tractor run set for Saturday
Antique tractor and car show to be held in Slemon Park on Sunday as part of club’s 10th anniversary celebrations
Roads in parts of West Prince will be stepping back in time this weekend. The West Prince Tired Iron Antique Club’s tractor run is set for today and club president Denis Gallant estimates about 60 of the club’s 110 members will participate, including about 50 on tractors and others helping out behind the scenes. “It’s just a social event for the club members,” he said, adding the public is welcome to join in. “We get to drive our old clunkers around.” Members from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia will also be participating. The tractors will set out in parade fashion from the Tired Iron Clubhouse near Coleman Corner at 10 a.m. Saturday and travel along Route Two to Elmsdale Corner and then turn right to the Rennies’ Dock Road Farm. The club will be providing a lunch of sandwiches and sweets for all participants during a noontime stop at and tour at Kent and Fred Rennie’s dairy farm in Elmsdale. Gallant said several tractors will have trailers in tow for anyone who would like to hop on for the parade. There will also be a truck and trailer following the parade in case any of the antique tractors break down. A breakdown only adds to the social element of the run, Gallant said, noting owners of other models would be quick to offer their insights. Following lunch, the tractors will return to the clubhouse via Route 12 through Cascumpec. A corn boil and hot dogs will be provided back at the clubhouse. The parade, the noon lunch and the meal at the clubhouse are all provided free of charge. Club members are running a fundraising lottery and the draw for the prizes will be held at the clubhouse Saturday afternoon. Cash prices of $500 $300 and $200 will be awarded. Several members of the club will also be participating in a weekend outing from Friday to Sunday, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the club’s incorporation. They were to spend Friday night at Slemon Park and then, following breakfast Saturday morning, set out to Schurman’s Fine Iron and the Indian River Church and finish off with a Chinese buffet in Kensington. On Sunday they will take a tractor run into Summerside and then return to Slemon Park for an antique car and tractor show jointly hosted by the West Prince Tired Iron Club and the P.E.I. Antique Car Club. Organizers are expecting 80 to 100 antique cars and about 40 antique tractors will be on display for the afternoon.