Farm tech in action this weekend

Wellton Tractor Rodeo shows off agricultural equipment

Today, most of us who have grown up the city can’t imagine not being able to turn on a light. But much of rural America lacked electricity in the home in the early 20th century.

Farms back then made use of gasoline engines to perform essential tasks, whether to drive tractors, operate water pumps, saw wood, run a washing machine or churn butter.

Gasoline engines as well as steam-powered and hotair engines that served rural households a century ago will be on display Friday and Saturday as part of the 40th annual Wellton Tractor Rodeo.

The engines are being brought to the event by Branch 206 of the Early Day Gas and Tractor Association, a national organization that promotes collecting, restoring and preservation of early farm machinery powered by gasoline, oil and steam.

Engines of various designs and size will be on display, some of them dating back to the 1900s, 1910s and ’20s, the branch president, Darrell Lipp, says. There will also be displays of old or antique tractors, such as the 1935 John Deere Model D tractor Lipp plans to bring to the show.

In years past a fundraiser for the Yuma Regional Medical Foundation, this year’s rodeo is organized by the town of Wellton, with all proceeds going to help fund recreational programs provided by the Wellton Parks & Recreation Department.

The rodeo will take place 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday in a new location this year, at Avenue 28-1/2E and County 12th Street. Admission will be $5 adults and youths 13 and older. Youngsters 12 and under will get in for free.

Apart from the displays provided by members of the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association, the rodeo will feature other exhibits of agricultural machinery and equipment from past eras, as well as a wellness clinic.

The Branch 206 will also host a swap meet as part of the Wellton Tractor Rodeo.

For more info about the event, call Wellton Town Hall at (928) 785-3348.